Ref: 54/2010

On Thursday, 20 May 2010, the
Training Unit of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) concluded a
training course in the field of international human rights law and
international humanitarian law for students of law at Al-Azhar University in
Gaza. The 18-hour course was held from
16 to 20 May 2010 and was attended by 19 students.

The course focused on a number of international
human rights law and international humanitarian law instruments, including the
International Bill of Human Rights (which includes the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights);
international humanitarian law (its principles, enforcement mechanisms and
obligations of the Occupying Power); the International Criminal Court
(establishment, international crimes, mechanisms of filing lawsuits and
practical examples); and the legal documentation of war crimes.

The training was conducted by a
number of specialized trainers from PCHR and other institutions: Bassam al-Aqra’,
Director of PCHR’s Training Unit, Khalil Shaheen, Director of PCHR’s Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights Unit, Ahlam al-Aqra’, lawyer in PCHR’s Legal Aid
Unit, as well as Dr. Abdul Qader Jarada.

In the conclusion of the course, Bassam
al-Aqra’, Director of PCHR’s Training Unit, explained that this course
constitutes 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. Al-Aqra’
added that this course is part of long-term efforts made by PCHR to promote
human rights in Palestinian society. He
further said that he hoped this course would constitute the beginning of a
fruitful relationship between PCHR and law students and help educate a new
generation of scholars specialized in international human rights law and
international humanitarian law.

The participants highly appreciated
efforts made by PCHR to restore Palestinians’ trust in human rights and
democracy, especially following the setback this trust incurred over the past
years. One of the participants,
Falasteen al-Ghazazwa, stated that the course contributed to raising the
participants’ awareness of human rights and provisions of international
humanitarian law. Another participant,
Wissam Abu Miri, said he highly appreciated the efficiency of trainers, and the
training methods, which contributed to enriching effective participation and
fruitful discussion. All participants
received certificates at the conclusion of the course.