Ref: 13/2007

Date: 18 March  2007

Training Course Organized by PCHR and the Bar Association

On Saturday, 17 March 2007, PCHR and the Palestinian Bar Association in the Gaza Strip launched a training course in “International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, and Upholding Justice” for 37 young lawyers from the Gaza Strip.

Adel Abu Jahal opened the training course by welcoming PCHR for its distinguished role in disseminating the culture of human rights and the rule of law among lawyers, especially young lawyers. He also pointed to the strong relationship between the Bar Association and PCHR. Finally, he stressed that training courses for young lawyers will continue, wishing them success.

Raji Sourani started his statement by talking about the history of the Bar Association and its excellent role on the professional and national fronts. He also stressed the deep bond between lawyers and human rights, expressing hope that a new generation of human rights lawyers will be born. Sourani also pointed to the strong and historic relationship between the PCHR and the Bar Association. He also expressed hope of holding human rights training courses at the regional level. Sourani ended his words by inviting the attendance to PCHR, especially its library which is rich in materials about law and human rights.

Bassam El-Aqra talked about the fact that this is the first of three courses to be organized by PCHR and the Bar Association in the Gaza Strip. He added that this course will be held in the Bar Association’s Gaza office, and will cover 18 training hours over 6 continuous days from 17-22 March 2006.

Four members of the Bar Association board of directors attended the opening session: Mr. Adel Abu Jahal (deputy head of the Bar Association); Fatima el-Mokhalalati; Safi El-Dahdouh; and Mohammad El-Deirawi. From PCHR, Jaber Weshah (deputy director) also attended. In addition, Hashem El-Thalathini (president of the coalition for modern development education) and Ayman Alameddin attended the opening session.

The training course covers a variety of human rights topics, including international human rights instruments: Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Covenant on Economic, social, and cultural rights; Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Second Protocol Additional to the Convention against the Death Penalty; International Criminal Court; and the Fourth Geneva Convention and its applicability in the OPT. In addition, the course covers some basic UN principles such as the role of public attorneys, independence of the judiciary, role of lawyers in furthering human rights, international legislation, and prosecuting war criminals.

The training is conducted by a team of experts from within and outside PCHR. The Center’s trainers are Raji Sourani, Khalil Shahin, Hamdi Shaqoura, and Bassam El-Aqra. From outside the Center, the trainers are Adel Abu Jahal, Abdel Rahman Abu El-Naser, and Muneer El-Oqbi.