2018-03-22

Gaza

Gaza

MUSAWA Conducts Conference under the Theme
“Our Children are our Future; their Protection is a Legal, Moral, and National Duty"
Under the Title: "Sexual Assault on Children: Let's Take Responsibility"

MUSAWA – The Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession held an extended community workshop in Gaza, titled: “Sexual Assaults on Children: Let’s Take Responsibility”.

During the workshop, seven papers were presented, tackling the reasons behind sexual assault incidents on children and the related consequences, and the actions to be taken at the national level, reaching at a society free of sexual abuse and any violation of children's rights in Palestine. The papers were presented by a variety of specialists from the duty-holders as well as Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and community figures. The papers reviewed and assessed the reality of childhood in the Gaza Strip and the requirements of maintaining the physical, psychological and mental integrity of children, so that the abuse against children and the violation of their innocence, human dignity, and physical and psychological purity does not evolve into a phenomenon that threatens social unity and distorts the reality and future of our people. At the end, the true wealth of any entity is the human being.

One hundred and fifty-six citizens, including 41 women, took part in the workshop. MUSAWA’s Board member, Adv. Sharhabil Al-Zaeem, gave the opening speech. The discussion was facilitated by Board member, Adv. Islah Hassanieh. In addition, an investigative report on harassment and sexual abuse of children in the Gaza Strip was presented by journalist Amjad Yaghi, a member of the Palestinian Human Rights Defenders’ Network (PHRDs).

The speakers addressed an array of topics, including the role of the judiciary in dealing with sexual abuse of children, presented by Judge Mohammad Abu-Misbeh; the role of the Public Prosecution in addressing cases of sexual abuse of children and dealing with them in legal terms, presented by Mr. Ziyad Al-Namira; and the role of the Bar Association in reducing the incidence of such cases and their contribution to raising legal awareness and the accountability tools they offer to make sure that these cases do not turn into a widely-spread phenomenon, presented by Deputy Chairman of the Bar Adv. Safi Al-Dahdouh. Furthermore, Mukhtar Saif Al-Din Abu-Ramadan, the Head of the Makhateer Association in Palestine (a Mukhtar is the head of a village. Makhateer is the plural of Mukhtar), spoke about the role the Makhateer play as the traditional intermediary between the victim and the offender. This was followed by a speech from media professional and lawyer Kamal Hijazi, who addressed the negative and positive aspects of speaking out on the sexual abuse of children, as a preventive treatment method. The interventions concluded with a paper presented by Specialist Sumaya Karsou’, a member of the AISHA Association for the Protection of Women and Children, which dealt with the cases of sexual assault on children submitted at the Society, and its role in providing psychological treatment to the victims as well as their families.

The conference ended with the announcement of the establishment of a civic coalition comprising of 109 eminent persons and representatives of the institutions participating in the conference, including MUSAWA, Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children, the General Union of Disabled Palestinians, the Makhateer Association in Palestine, Rural Women’s Development Society, Family Development Association, the Center for Women’s Legal Research and Consulting, AISHA Association for Woman and Child Protection, Youth Development Association, the Culture & Free Thought Association, and the Scientific Research & Studies Society. This is in addition to eminent legal and community figures who will stand up to the human dignity of children, make sure that the official institutions meet their obligations, and monitor, document, address and follow up on any violation against Palestinian children, with a view to reaching a society free from child abuse. Accountability mechanisms and tools must be in place to reach this ultimate goal. The coalition will take it upon itself to monitor the performance of the official administrative and executive bodies, ensuring that action is being taken on the ground at the legal, cultural, social, and health levels, to provide a safe and healthy environment for our children as well as their families where they can determine their own fate.