Ref: 17/2008

Date: 09 June 2008

PCHR Starts Training Course for Young Media Specialist on International Human Rights Law and Humanitarian Law

On Sunday, 8 June 2008, PCHR Training Unit, in cooperation with Palestinian Youth Media Coalition (PYMC) in Deir al-Balah, started a training course on international human rights law and humanitarian law designed for young media specialists. The training is conducted at the PYMC’s office and will be concluded on 12 June 2008. The participants in the 20-hour training course are 26 young media specialists.

In his opening speech, Mr. ‘Abdullah ‘Othman, Director of PYMC, highly appreciated PCHR’s efforts to promote the culture of human rights and the rule of law among media specialists, especially young ones, and its constant willingness for cooperation to serve young media specialists. He further expressed wishes for the participants to get maximum benefit from the course.  

In his speech, Mr. Bassam al-Aqra’, Director of PCHR Training Unit, emphasized that the issue of human rights is significantly important as it has become a necessity rather than a theoretical issue, hoping that that a new generation of media specialists who are aware of human rights issues will be created. He also urged media specialists to get benefit from PCHR’s publication and library. Mr. al-Aqra’ pointed out that PCHR organized a training course, in Amman in 2003, in cooperation with Arab human rights organizations, for media specialists from the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and Palestinian territory occupied in 1948.

The training program of the course was designed in consultation with the CMC to meet the needs of the participants. 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); Convention on the Rights of the Child; Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; the rule of law; the independence of the judiciary; and freedom of expression.

The training is conducted by a number of specialized trainers who use various training techniques that promote effective participation and fruitful discussion: Jaber Wishah, Deputy Director of PCHR; Bassam al-Aqra’, Director of Training Unit;

Hamdi Shaqqura, Director of Democratic Development Unit; Muna al-Shawa, Director of Women’s Rights Unit; Majeda Shihada, from the Women’s Rights Unit; and Lawyer Shareef Abu Nassar, from the Legal Aid Unit.  Dr. Bassam Abu Hashish, a lecturer at al-Aqsa University in Gaza, also contributes to the training.