Ref: 82/2011

On 28 November 2011, the Training Unit and the
Women’s Rights Unit of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) opened a
training course on litigation before Sharia Courts in Khan Yunis.  The course targets young lawyers and is the
second of its kind this year.

The 18-training-hour course, in which 25
lawyers are participating, is being held in PCHR’s office in Khan Yunis for 6
successive days between 28 November and 05 December 2011.

In his opening speech, Mr. Jaber Wishah, Deputy
Director of PCHR, discussed the importance of the legal profession and its
humanitarian dimension.  He highlighted
the close relationship between the work of lawyers and human rights
issues.  Mr. Wishah pointed out that increasing lawyers’ capacity to
pursue litigation before Sharia Courts is useful for both lawyers and
victims. Finally, Wishah called on lawyers not to hesitate to ask for
PCHR’s assistance, emphasizing the accessibility of PCHR’s extensive human
rights and international law library.

Mr. Abdul Halim Abu Samra, Director of PCHR’s
Department of Public Relations in Khan Yunis, presented detailed information on
PCHR’s different units and on the Women’s Rights Unit and the services it
provides to women, including legal consultation, representation before courts,
as well as raising women’s awareness of their rights ensured under domestic and
international law.

Mr. Samir Hassania, a lawyer in the Women’s
Rights Unit, pointed out that the course is unique, as it is the second of its
kind this year and the first of its kind in the south of the Gaza Strip that
targets young lawyers in the Gaza Strip.  He stressed that the course is
highly relevant as the Sharia Courts in Gaza are currently preparing an
examination that young lawyers will need to pass in order to obtain the legal
license necessary for litigation before Sharia Courts.  Mr.
Hassania provided an overview of the topics covered by the course, including
introduction to Sharia law; Code of Legal Procedures for Trials; Family
Law; inheritance; the procedures of litigation; and the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

Ms. Hanan Matar and Mr. Samir Hassania, both
lawyers in PCHR’s Women’s Rights Unit, and Ms. Majeda Shehada, a researcher in
PCHR’s Women’s Rights Unit, are participating as trainers in this training
course.  Sheikh Dr. Ibrahim al-Najjar, President of the Sharia Court of
Appeal in Khan Yunis, is also participating in the training team.