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PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights PRESS RELEASE |
Ref: 162/2005
Date: 12 December 2005
PCHR Hosts a Delegation from the International Legal Assistance Consortium
A delegation from the International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC) conducted a 2-day visit to the Gaza Strip on 11 and 12 December 2005. The visiting delegation consisted of Ms. Agneta Johansson (ILAC Deputy Director); Ms. Anne Ramberg (Secretary General of the Swedish Bar Association); and Dr. Phillip Tahmindjis (Programme Lawyer in the International Bar Association). The visit aimed at watching the situation in the Gaza Strip after the implementation of the disengagement plan, and to discuss training for Palestinian lawyers in the fields of human rights, the independence of the legal profession, and the ethical practice of the law.
On Sunday, 11 December 2005, the visitors met with Mr. Raji Sourani, Director of PCHR; Mr. Jaber Weshah, Deputy Director of PCHR; and Mr. Iyad Alami, Director of the Legal Unit. The meeting discussed the general situation in the Gaza Strip after the implementation of the disengagement plan. Mr. Sourani stressed the fact that the Israeli military occupation of the Gaza Strip is still effective through its control over border crossings as well as airspace and territorial waters. In addition, the meeting discussed methods in which ILAC can contribute to the development the Palestinian lawyers’ capacities and enhancing the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in Palestine. Following the meeting, the visitors were taken on a field tour in the Strip, which included Rafah International Crossing Point and the sites of evacuated Israeli settlements. It is noted that PCHR attained membership in ILAC in November 2005.
On Monday, 12 December 2005, Mr. Iyad El-Alami accompanied the visitors to a meeting with the Board of the Palestine Bar Association in the Gaza Strip branch. They met with Mr. ‘Aadel Abu Jahal (Deputy Head of the Palestine Bar Association); Mr. Safi al-Dahdouh, Board member in charge of training and professional issues; and Mr. ‘Omar al-Borsh, Board member in charge of public relations. The meeting discussed the possibility of implementing a training program for Palestinian lawyers on human rights, ethical practice of the law and the independence of the legal profession. The Bar Association Board members welcomed the initiative and outlined a preliminary mechanism to prepare for the implementation of the project.
Furthermore, the meeting discussed the independence of the Palestine Bar Association. The Bar Association Board members confirmed that the decisions and positions of the Palestine Bar Association are taken internally, free from outside influence. In addition, they stressed that the Bar Association has been advocating the independence of the Palestinian judiciary, and the need to respect and implement Palestinian court decisions.
The visitors then headed to meet Mr. Zuheir Sourani, the Chief Justice, who briefed them on the difficulties facing judicial work in Palestine following the implementation of the disengagement plan. Chief Justice Sourani stated that the Israeli control over the borders and movement between the Gaza Strip and West Bank is placing unprecedented obstacles against the work of the judiciary. In addition, the Chief Justice informed the visitors about the steps taken to enhance the independence of the judiciary in Palestine. He highlighted the transparency in the selection of new judges, and outlined the efforts made to train judges.
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Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
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email: [email protected] website: www.pchrgaza.org