PALESTINIAN CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

PRESS RELEASE

 Ref: 168/2003

Date: 11 December 2003

 

PCHR Director to receive the 2003 International Service Human Rights Award

 Raji Sourani, the Director of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, will be awarded the 2003 International Service Human Rights Award at a ceremony to be held in London on December 15 at the Houses of Parliament.

 Mr. Sourani was honoured to accept the award saying that, “Despite the present and historical responsibilities of the British government for the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the British government continues to ignore the ever deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in Gaza Strip and West Bank, including Jerusalem.  However, British civil society and outstanding organisations such as UNAIS give us the hope and support to continue in our quest to defend Palestinian human rights. As members of Palestinian civil society, we are committed to speaking truth to power and breaking the conspiracy of silence.”

 This is the inaugural year for the award and coincides with the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Association International Service (UNAIS), a UK registered development agency working predominantly in West Africa, Latin America and Palestine. UNAIS provides professional support worldwide by placing development workers and human rights experts with local partner organisations focusing primarily on health, sustainable livelihoods, organisational development and human rights.

 UNAIS has been active in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for 25 years and has enjoyed a close and rewarding partnership with PCHR for the last 15 years. UNAIS has provided invaluable support for PCHR’s efforts to highlight the dire human rights situation, in addition to providing PCHR and other Palestinian non-governmental organisations with expertise and practical assistance.

 The awards ceremony at the House of Commons will be co-hosted by renowned journalist, Jon Snow, and Lord Bassam, and attended by various members of the British parliament as well as the 2003 recipients, Mr. Sourani and fellow human rights activist, Bianca Jagger.

 Whilst in the United Kingdom, Mr. Sourani will take the opportunity to meet with various members of the human rights community, lawyers, the Department for International Development, Members of Parliament, non-governmental organisations and the British media.  He will also meet with UK solidarity groups and representatives from the Arab and Palestinian communities in the UK.

 

For information regarding PCHR's activities, please refer to our website at www.pchrgaza.org

 

 

 

Public Document

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For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 - 2825893

PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail:pchr@pchrgaza.org, Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org