On Wednesday 1 July 2009, the Palestinian
Centre for Human Rights’(PCHR) Democratic Development Unit (DDU) organized 2
panel discussions in Rafah town and Jabalya refugee camp.
The first panel discussion was organized
in cooperation with the National Association for Democracy and Law (NADL) in
Rafah town. It focused on “political Participation within the Democratic
Regime.” The discussion was attended by around 20 university students and
volunteers working in civil society organizations. Salah Abu Hatab, a social
activist, presented a paper on political participation within the democratic
regime. The participants were then invited to an open discussion on
manifestations, characteristics and limitations of the political
participation.
The second panel discussion was organized
in cooperation with the Jabalya-based Women's Activities Centre. It was
attended by 35 female activists. During the discussion, Mahmoud al-Efranjy,
a researcher in PCHR DDU presented a paper on the right to freedom of
expression. The participants were then invited to an open discussion on the
international standards and domestic laws regulating the right to freedom of
expression under PNA rule.
These meetings are part of a series of
activities organized by PCHR in the context of efforts to promote and
develop democracy in the Palestinian society. These meetings aim at raising
public awareness with respect to democratic concepts and ways to enhance
them in the Palestinian society. PCHR considers such activities essential in
light of Palestinians’ deteriorating faith in the democratic process in the
last few years. Such deterioration has arisen consequent to the
international community's boycott of the results of the Palestinian
legislative elections of January 2006, and as a result of the internal
fragmentation and its consequent destructive impacts on the Palestinian
national cause.
