Ref: 58/2009

On Wednesday, 4 November 2009, the Women’s Unit of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) organized a panel discussion on “Developments in Shari’a Courts” in PCHR’s main office in Gaza city.

President of the Supreme Shari’a Courts “Dr. Hassan al-Jojo, Presidents of Shari’a Appeal Courts of Gaza and Khan Yunis, judges of the Supreme Shari’a Court and the two Appeal Courts, number of Shari’a lawyers, representatives of number of women and human rights’ institution which defend women’s rights attended the panel discussion.

The panel discussion was opened by Deputy Director of PCHR “Jaber Weshah” who delivered a speech welcoming the attendees. He commented on the special relationship between the Shari’a Courts and PCHR, particularly, the Women’s Unit. He pointed out that this panel discussion is part of the ongoing cooperation and coordination between the two parties; in addition, it is complementary to a workshop held by PCHR last year on Litigation before Shari’a Courts which recommended convening regular meetings between Shari’a Judges, lawyers and institutions defending Women’s Rights.

For his part, Dr. Hassan al-Jojo thanked PCHR for organizing the panel discussion, stressing the importance of permanently convening such panel discussions. He stated that our aim as a whole is to ensure women’s rights and that the field of family law depends on women. Al-Jojo also said that Shari’a Jurisdiction and Shari’a Courts are places for settling social disputes; besides, and that they are working on improving Shari’a Jurisdiction to combine traditions with modern values. Al-Jojo confirmed that Shari’a Jurisdiction is open to all and that this panel discussion was convened in this context. He appreciated the role of PCHR in supporting jurisdiction and its independence and the Center’s distinguished role in the field of human rights and women’s rights.

The Lawyer of Women’s Unit “Samir Hasaniya” presented a worksheet discussing workshop recommendations which was concluded by PCHR last October and their implementation during the last period. He also commented on the performance of the Shari’a Courts.

At the end of the panel discussion, Shari’a lawyers presented a number of questions and remarks related to the performance of the Shari’a Courts. Dr. Hassan al-Jojo answered their questions and promised to take them into consideration. The recommendation as follows:

1.         Convening regular meetings between the Shari’a Courts and lawyers.

2.      Unifying efforts to an activate expenditures’ fund and pressurizing Gaza government for this activation.

3.         Activating article 97 of Family Law relative to issues of separation for damage

4.         Reconsidering the cases of divorce for not paying alimony

5.         Re-organizing work in the Shari’a Courts in Gaza.

6.         Looking into training the Shari’a lawyers.