Annual Report - Palestinian Center for Human Rights

cooperation between the two sides. With the assistance of international donors and
within this new relationship, both sides would be in a position to more effectively
plan, implement and evaluate developmental initiatives to fight poverty and protect
the poorest within the society. The participants called for facilitation of
administrative and financial reforms in the PNA
• On 19 December 2005, the unit organized a workshop on “The Right to Higher
Education: Role of the Student Body in Supporting and Protecting the Academic
Process in Al-Azhar University in Gaza.” Representatives from al-Azhar
University student parties and independents attended the workshop. The workshop
aimed to highlight the role of the student body in protecting the academic process
at al-Azhar University. This was essential in light of developments that had
suspended work at the university. The representatives from different student blocs
presented their viewpoints on the academic process at the university. They
welcomed the resumption of lectures at the university and the formation of a new
board of trustees for the university. In addition, they discussed the problems and
obstacles facing the university’s students. These included outside intervention in
university affairs by security forces; security chaos inside the campus; the spread
of weapons in and around the university; deteriorating educational levels; lack of
extra-curricular activities; attacks on university teachers; and the lack of proper
implementation of university laws.
Means of Verification
o The unit issued press releases on these workshops.
o The workshops were reported in local newspapers.
o The unit staff members were interviewed by the local, Arab and international
media on issues relating to economic, social and cultural rights.
o The unit’s staff members were invited to attend similar activities organized by
other institutions.
o These workshops enhanced the unit's relations with a number of governmental and
non-governmental organizations.
o Other institutions demonstrated increasing interest in organizing joint workshops
on issues relating to economic, social and cultural rights.
o Demands by governmental and non-governmental organizations to obtain the
unit's publications notably increased.
2.3) Media and Public Relations Activities
The unit’s staff members were interviewed by local and international media on issues
relating to economic, social and cultural rights:
• On 25 January 2005, the unit head was interviewed by journalist Wafaa' 'Eissa on
the impacts of house demolitions on Palestinian civilians. The journalist also used
some of PCHR's publications.
• On 25 January 2005, the unit head was interviewed by journalist Shireen Khalifa
on Palestinian communications. The journalist also received some of PCHR's
publications.
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