Ref:
39/2013

On Thursday noon, 30 May 2013, the Palestinian
Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) received a high profile Swiss delegation
comprises of: Axel Wernhoff, Consul General of Switzerland; Radoslav Zikovic,
former Political Officer; and Lena Skotlund, the new Political Officer. 

Members of the delegation met with Mr. Hamdi
Shaqqura, Deputy PCHR Director for Program Affairs, who welcomed them and
briefed them on the deterioration of the human rights situation in the Gaza
Strip due to the continuous Israeli escalation.

The meeting discussed also developments related
to PCHR’s work before the Israeli judiciary. 
Shaqqura stressed that the amendments made to the Israeli Tort Law deny
access of Palestinian civilian victims to justice, and that the Israeli
judiciary provides cover for crimes committed by Israeli forces.

Shaqqura also talked about efforts made by PCHR
jointly with Palestinian, international and Israeli human rights organizations
to overcome the obstacles established by Israel in an attempt to deny access of
Palestinian civilians to judicial remedy. 

At another level, Shaqqura addressed the
internal human rights situation, focusing on restrictions on public freedoms,
which are attributed to the political split.