Press Release

PCHR publishes a book on the proceedings of a workshop on the role of judiciary in civil society

Ref: 105/2000

Date: 21 September 2000

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza and the International Commission of Jurists (the Center for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers) in Geneva has recently published a book, which covers the whole proceedings of a workshop on “the role of judiciary in civil society.” The workshop was held in Gaza on January 24, 2000. It was organized by the International Commission of Jurists (the Center for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers) in cooperation with local affiliate of the Commission in Palestine, PCHR in Gaza, Al-Haq Institution in Ramallah, and LAW in Jerusalem. A group of academicians, jurists, judges and human rights activists, in addition to some international experts, participated in the workshop.

The one-day workshop attracted great attention by those who are interested in the rule of law and the independence of judiciary in Palestine. It was an opportunity to learn about international experience in the field of judiciary. The discussions included several areas, such as basic hindrances to the independence of civil judiciary in Palestine. The first session considered the role of the judiciary in protecting human rights. The second session was devoted to discuss the relation between the judiciary and the legislature on one side, and the executive on the other, while the third session considered the principle of separation of powers, taking South Africa as a case study.

The workshop came in the conclusion of a visit of a delegation of the International Commission of Jurists, aimed at learning about the status of the judiciary in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The delegation included Mr. Adama Dieng, Head of the International Commission of Jurists, Geneva; Muna Rishmawi, Director of the Center for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers; Sir Stephen Tumim, former Circuit Judge and Former Inspector of Prisons, UK; Justice Johann Kriegler, Member of South Africa’s Constitutional Court; Mr. Per Stadig, Member of the International Commission of Jurists in Sweden; and Mr. Peter Wilborn, an attorney from USA, former Assistant Director of the Center for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers and the rapporteur of the delegation. The delegation met with officials of relevant Palestinian bodies- executive, legislative and judicial, the Bar Association and human rights organizations. The study is a continuation of the Commission’s missions which started in 1994, when the Commission prepared a study on the needs of establishing an independent judiciary.

Note: The book is available in Arabic at PCHR.