Ref: 11/2023

Date: 23 February 2023

On Wednesday, 22 February 2023, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) inaugurated a training course to build capacities and exchange experience with Palestinian judges of Magistrate, First Instance, Appeal and Supreme Courts.  The 55-hour training course will be conducted on 3 stages over the course of 20 days.

It is noteworthy that this course is the first of its kind to be implemented by PCHR in partnership with Higher Judicial Council in the Gaza Strip, aiming at developing the knowledge and the capacities of the judges on the general concepts of the international human rights system, the most important human rights conventions signed by the State of Palestine and their compatibility with the Palestinian legislations and the constitutionality of their integration into the judicial system.

Lawyer Raji Sourani, Director of PCHR, opened the first training coursing welcoming the attendees, including chancellor Ashraf Nasrallah, Secretary General of the Higher Judicial Council, chancellor Iyad ‘Ashour, Head of the Technical and Judicial Inspection Office, chancellor ‘Ali Al-Ashram, Head of the Grand Criminal Court and the judges.  Sourani emphasized that PCHR pays great attention to judges and the judicial system which is the platform for justice in society as PCHR seeks to develop and improve its capabilities. Sourani stressed the importance of this course that aims at serving judges and providing them with skills and knowledge of the international conventions signed by the State of Palestine and ensued obligations, through topics tackling the core work of the judicial system.  He called on the attendees to benefit from this training in a way that serves the justice system.

For his part, Chancellor Iyad ‘Ashour, Head of the Technical and Judicial Inspection Office, thanked PCHR for organizing and implementing this program which overlaps with what the Technical Office of the Higher Judicial Council seeks to in terms of developing the judicial rulings issued by the judges of different courts in accordance with the provisions of domestic and international laws and legislations for scientific and cognitive enrichment and the promotion of culture in all issues brought before the judiciary in addition to shaping the legal and judicial experience of judges.

Ashour pointed out the importance of holding such courses for court judges as part of the fruitful cooperation between the Higher Judicial Council, human rights organizations, and civil society organizations (CSOs), indicating that the training program tackles the most important topics that need to be elaborately addressed and discussed.  He concluded by hoping that the program will succeed and achieve its goals.

It is noteworthy that PCHR sought the assistance of international, Arab, and local experts in the field of human rights, international law and judicial proceedings to implement this program.