Ref: 88/2012

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights’ (PCHR)
Democratic Development Unit organized three panel discussions on political
participation in Palestinian society in cooperation with three non-governmental
associations in Jabalia, Gaza City and al-Qarara village.

In his paper that was presented in the three
panel discussions, legal researcher Mohammed Abu Hashem addressed
“Democracy and Political Participation”. He then facilitated
discussions among participants on: the importance of political participation in
a democratic society; political participation of women and means to reinforce
it; and mechanisms of defending the right to political participation.

On Tuesday morning, 23 October 2012, a session
was held in the Youth Society for Culture and Development in Jabalia refugee
camp, in the northern Gaza Strip.  The
meeting was attended by 24 participants, including 18 women.

On Monday, 22 October 2012, a second session
was held in Eastern Gaza Society for Family Development in Gaza City.  19 participants, including 17 women,
participated in the session.

On Sunday, 21 October 2012, a third session was
held in al-Qarara Youth Forum in al-Qarara village, east of Khan Yunis in the
southern Gaza Strip, where 21 participants, including 13 women, attended the
meeting.

These panel discussions are part of a project
implemented by PCHR over three years and are funded by the EU and Oxfam Novib
in order to raise awareness about human rights and respect of these rights in
the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). 
Moreover, the discussions are part of efforts exerted by PCHR to promote
democratic awareness inside Palestinian society, especially in light of the lack
of Palestinians’ confidence in the democratic process following the political
split.  

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For more information, please contact
the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights at [email protected]
or +972-(0)8-282