Ref: 26/2014

On Thursday, 12 June 2014, the Training Unit
of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), in cooperation with the
Benaa’ Association for Development and Empowerment in the northern Gaza
Strip, concluded a training course in human rights.  The 20-hour training course was held in the
society’s head office in al-Bureij refugee camp in the period from 08 – 12 June
2014.  26 participants attended the
course. 

The course focused on a number of
international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights; the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights; the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; The
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; and
The Universal Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women. The
course also covered in the topics of the political participation, rule of law,
independence of judiciary, and gender issues.

A team of specialized trainers supervised the
training sessions.  The team included:
Mr. Bassam al-Aqra’, Director of PCHR’s Training Unit; Mr. Fadel Muzaini, a
researcher at PCHR’s Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Unit; Mohammed Abu
Hashim, a researcher at PCHR’s Democracy Development Unit; Majeda Shahada, a
researcher at PCHR’s Women’s Rights Unit; and Shareef Abu Nassar, a lawyer in
PCHR’s Legal Aid Unit.

In his concluding speech, Bassam al-Aqra’
Director of the Training Unit, explained that this course was part of a
long-term effort by PCHR to promote human rights in Palestinian society in
cooperation with community-based organizations. He also added that this course
is the first of its kind to be organized with Benaa’ Association and
corresponds with PCHR’s efforts to create new relationships with more
community-based organizations. This allows PCHR to serve more people in
marginalized areas as well as increasing their awareness in human rights
through organizing similar training courses and involving them in PCHR’s
various activities.  Al-Aqra’ called upon
trainees to benefit from the PCHR’s services and emphasized that PCHR’s doors
are always open to everyone.

‘Ammar Mansour, Deputy Director of the
association, appreciated PCHR’s efforts to disseminate human rights culture
within the members of the Palestinian community-based organizations, especially
the young ones.  He also called upon the
participants to transfer what they learnt to their departments adding that the
activities will continue with PCHR in the future to make the youngsters benefit
more.  Yasmin ‘Elwan, a participant, said
that the course contributed to raising the participants’ awareness of human
right concepts, especially since it is the first of its kind, so it helped them
to understand the concepts better as a prelude to claim their rights. Another
participant, Ibrahim ‘Abdullah, added that the course was characterized by the variation of its topics
in spite of the intensity of the training material. He appreciated the course
and praised the dedication of the trainers and the use of diverse interactive
training methods.  He added that active
participation and discussion during the training sessions had enriched the
course though the participants argued in some moments.

At the end of the day, participants received
their certificates.