Ref: 17/2012
On Tuesday, 14 February, the first International Criminal Law Moot
Court Competition Project in the Gaza Strip was inaugurated. The Moot Court
Competition is a joint project of the University of Palestine, Islamic
University, and Al Azhar University, and is implemented by the Palestinian
Centre for Human Rights in cooperation with UNDP and OHCHR.
During the ceremony, which took place at the University of
Palestine, the audience was addressed by representatives of all partner
organizations: Dr. Salem Sabbah, President of the University of Palestine; Dr.
Riad Al Zanoun, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PCHR; Carolina Reyes,
Acting Head of the OHCHR office in Gaza; Dr. Chantal Meloni, International
Legal Expert with PCHR and supervisor of the project; Sascha Graumann, Head of
UNDP/PAPP Office in Gaza; Dr. Mohammed Abu Saada, Dean of the University of
Palestine College of Law and Legal Practice; Dr. Abdel Rahman Abu Nasser, Dean
of Al Azhar University Faculty of Law; and Dr. Mohammed Nahal, Dean of the
Islamic University Faculty of Law.
The Moot Court project, which is implemented by the Palestinian
Centre for Human Rights, provides high quality legal training to 30 law
students, 10 from each law faculty of the participating universities, tackling
a variety of topics in international humanitarian law, international criminal
law, and human rights. Each group of university students is coached by an
expert of law. Through weekly lectures and training sessions, which take place
over a period of 5 months, the coaches provide the students with a basis in
international law theory and practice. Additionally, visiting international
legal experts, including the Head of the Legal Department in the ICRC, will
come to provide training in their field of expertise related to international
humanitarian and/or criminal law.
Following the intense training period the first International Criminal
Law Moot Court Competition is to be held in July at the University of
Palestine. In the Competition, which is the first of its kind in the Gaza
Strip, the participating students will represent the parties of the Prosecutor
and Defense in a simulated trial of a fictional case before an international
tribunal, namely the International Criminal Court. During the Competition the
students’ teams from the universities will be given the opportunity to present
their oral and written pleadings before a jury, which will be composed of
esteemed international judges, experts in international humanitarian and
international criminal law.
In his speech, Dr. Salem Sabbah stressed that this project came in
the context of cooperation between local universities and local and
international organizations to contribute to developing the skills of lawyers
and aims at setting a good example of cooperation and partnership.
Dr. Riad Al Zanoun pointed out that this project will open new
horizons in briefing the international community on what happens in the
occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) in a manner based on high professionalism
and specialized knowledge, in order to protect Palestinian rights and to create
a generation of lawyers equipped with knowledge and good skills.
Mr. Sascha Graumann explained that the work of UNDP in Gaza shifted
from a focus on humanitarian aid to sustainable capacity building and
development in order to support civilians and promote the local economy and social
structures. He added that the Moot Court
Project constitutes the outcome of joint efforts with the partner organizations
in order to enhance the quality of legal education.
Carolina Reyes welcomed the efforts exerted by all partner
organizations in this project to make the Moot Court come true. She highlighted
that the participant students would be provided with the knowledge to enable
them defend their rights before international courts in the future.
Dr. Chantal Meloni explained that the Arab world is starting to
become more involved with the work of the International Criminal Court, not
only for the investigation in Libya, but also because several Arab countries
are considering ratifying the Rome Statute or have already done so, like Jordan
and Tunisia. She also believes that it
is important that the new generation of Palestinian students is aware of the
international developments in the field of international justice.
Dr. Mohamed al-Nahhal said that this project will promote the educational
process, as it supports the legal education and research skills of the
participant students. Besides, the
project will provide a number of lawyers with better skills to advocate for the
Palestinian rights.
Dr. Abdel Rahman Abu Nasser stressed the cooperation between
universities, which is a remarkable feature of the Palestinian universities and
often done through exchanging experience among teachers and joint work among
students. He pointed out that the Moot Court Project is important and necessary
in the light of the Palestinian efforts to achieve justice and
accountability. He added that law is the
most prominent tool for achieving justice.
Finally, Dr. Mohammed Abu Saada underscored that the partner
organizations managed to break through the isolation under which the
Palestinians live, and that prevents them from being involved on an
international level. He pointed out that
law is the most significant language in order to make their voices heard to the
outside world and to restore their right at the national and international
levels.
