Ref: 40/2010

At the conclusion of the
International Federation for Human Rights’ (FIDH) 37^th Congress that
took place in Yerevan, Armenia, from 6 to 10 April 2010, lawyer Raji Sourani,
the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights’ (PCHR) director, was re-elected as
FIDH vice president.

This is the fourth consecutive
mandate of Sourani as FIDH vice president, a position that he occupied already
for nine years and that he will occupy now for further three years.

FIDH is a non-governmental
organization based in Paris since 1922. It is one of the world-leading
organizations dedicated to defending human rights; it has dozens of member
organizations throughout the world including a number of Arab human rights
organizations, among which PCHR.

During his past terms as FIDH vice
president, PCHR director Raji Sourani worked hard and was a strong voice to
defend the Palestinian cause, in particular, and Arab human rights issues in
general. The re-election of Sourani for additional three years represents an
appreciation for PCHR role in this area. It is also a renewal of PCHR
responsibilities and commitment in the pursuance of defending Palestinian and
Arab human rights issues.

It should be noted that FIDH
Congress adopted a number of resolutions, including a resolution that was
jointly presented by PCHR and Al-Haq and that condemns the violations committed
by the Israeli occupation forces in the occupied Palestinian territories.

PCHR congratulates its director for
his re-election as FIDH vice president.