2016-11-12

West Bank & Gaza

West Bank / Gaza

MUSAWA – The Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession held the first conference for the Lawyers for the Rule of Law Groups (friends of MUSAWA) in the West Bank and Gaza Strip through video conference. 94 members participated in the conference, including 33 women and 61 men.

The most important topics on the conference’s agenda included: participatory discussion on MUSAWA’s action plan 2017 with the groups’ members both in the West Bank and Gaza; examination of the members’ suggestions to improve their groups and ensure their sustainability and effectiveness; and finding solutions for the obstacles which prevent the members from fulfilling their duties as groups that aim at monitoring and documenting violations within the pillars of the justice system.

At the end of the conference, participants gave the following recommendations and suggestions: first, expand the scope of work for the groups and activating their role by enhancing communication among the groups in all governorates. Second, encourage all society groups to cooperate with the groups in case any of their rights was violated. Third, prepare a clear task sheet of the activities to which the members are assigned, provided that the activities should be distributed among all governorates. Fourth, introducing the groups on a wider range by making brochures and activating social media channels. Fifth, hold a special conference to discuss the achievements of the groups and the violations they were able to monitor. Sixth, conduct awareness sessions on a regular basis to increase the public’s knowledge on their rights, in addition to participating in radio episodes to expand the range of work and to raise awareness amongst community members. Finally, hold Moot Court competitions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.