Ref: 4/2008

Date: 18 February 2008

PCHR Organizes a Training Course on Human Rights and Gender in Khan Yunis in Cooperation with Civil Society Groups

On 17 February 2008, PCHR Training Unit launched a training course on human rights and gender in Khan Yunis. The course, in which 25 individuals representing 5 civil society groups are participating, is being held at PCHR’s sub-office in Khan Yunis.

In his opening speech, ‘Abdul Halim Abu Samra, Public Relations Officer at PCHR’s sub-office in Khan Yunis, welcomed the participants. He explained PCHR’s activities and emphasized the importance of such courses, since knowledge of human rights is the first step towards their realization.

Bassam al-Aqra’, Director of PCHR Training Unit, stated that this course is one in a series of courses organized by PCHR annually for representatives civil society groups in the Gaza Strip to provide them with basic knowledge of human rights issues. He explained that the course covers a variety of human rights topics, including the International Bill of Human Rights (Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Covenant on Economic, social, and cultural rights; and Covenant on Civil and Political Rights); Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; Convention on the Rights of the Child; Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; gender issues; the rule of law; and the independence of the judiciary.

The training is conducted by a team of specialized trainers from PCHR that includes: Lawyer Sharif Abu Nassar, from the Legal Aid Unit; Muna al-Shawa, Sameer Hassaniya, Majeda Shihada, from the Women’s Rights Unit; Bassam al-Aqra; from the Training Unit; and Salah Abu Hatab, from the Democratic Development Unit. Dr. Bassam Abu Hashish, a lecturer at al-Aqsa University in Gaza, also contributes to the training.