2017-02-11

West Bank & Gaza

Human Rights Defenders / West Bank / Gaza

Throughout February 2017, eight meetings in eight different areas within the WB and Gaza (Ramallah, Jerusalem and Jericho; Salfeet and Nablus; Tulqarm and Qalqilya; Jenin and Tubas; Bethlehem and Hebron; Gaza and North Gaza; Gaza’s Middle Governorate; Khan Yunis and Rafah) were carried-out by MUSAWA, in cooperation with the Palestinian Human Rights Defenders’ Network (PHRDs). The meetings were attended by 107 members, including 55 female participants.

In the meetings, the attendees addressed several topics, including sharing the findings of the meeting which was held with the external evaluation company with the PHRDs members in order to identify the pros and weaknesses. The members also stressed that it is highly essential for the most number possible of PHRDs to attend the preparatory meeting of the First International Conference for Human Rights Defenders in Palestine, which will be held through video conference in the WB and Gaza. Roles were distributed among the members to disseminate invitations to the biggest possible number of defenders, media professionals, journalists, lawyers, trade unionists, and young activists from all over the country.

Furthermore, the members gave suggestions of awareness activities to be conducted in the legal field in cooperation with partner organizations. A members will be chosen by consensus to propose a legal or social topic for several discussion sessions that will be held in Gaza, including criminal record proceedings and validity, the legality of child labour, and the lawyer’s relationship with his/her client.

In confirmation of the Network’s desire and willingness to continue their work even after the period of the project has ended, it was announced that during March 2017 two workshops about public freedoms will be carried-out by the PHRDs members in Jenin.

These meetings come as part of a project to empower Palestinian human rights defenders, conducted by MUSAWA both in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and supported by the European Union.