Ref: 60/2012

On Thursday, 28
June 2012, in the presence of Mr. Hashem al-Thalathini, Member of PCHR’s Board
of Directors, the Training Unit of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
(PCHR) concluded a training course in the field of human rights, in cooperation
with the National Society for Democracy and Law (NADL) in Rafah.  The training was held in NADL’s office.  The 20-hour training course was held in the
Society’s hall in the period 24-28 June 2012. 
25 participants from 7 active community-based organizations in Rafah
attend the course.

The program of
the courses included a number of international instruments in the field of
human rights: the International Bill of Human Rights (the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights); the Convention
on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; Universal
Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women; the right to
development, in addition to gender, independence of Jurisdiction and the rule
of law.

In his closing
speech, al-Thalathini stressed that these training courses are part of long-term
efforts made by PCHR to promote human rights in the Palestinian society in
cooperation with community-based organizations. 
He asked the participants to apply what they had learnt, confirming that
PCHR’s doors are open for all.

Bassam al-Aqra,
Director of PCHR’s Training Unit, added that this course is part of a 3-year
project funded by the European Union and Oxfam Novib, whose goal is to improve
awareness and respect of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Ahmed Srour,
the Executive Manager of the NADL, appreciated efforts made by PCHR to disseminate
the culture of human rights in the Palestinian society.  One of the participants, Reda Sha’at, indicated
that the course raised their awareness of human rights and women’s rights,
explaining that the course included different subjects.  Another participant, Mohammed al-Taweel, highly
appreciated the efficiency of trainers, and the training methods, which
contributed to enriching effective participation and fruitful discussion.
 He also requested holding such training courses targeting other
participants from the community-based organizations in Rafah.

Mr.
al-Thalathini, Srour, al-Aqra, and Khalil Shaheen, Director of PCHR’s Economic
and Social Rights, distributed certificates to the participants.