Annual Report - Palestinian Center for Human Rights

Introduction of Legal Aid in PCHR's Branch Offices in Jabalya and Khan Yunis
In 2005, the unit sought to introduce legal aid at PCHR's branch offices in Jabalya and
Khan Yunis. The unit advertised the new provision of legal services by the unit in
these offices and also the days on which the unit lawyers are present at PCHR's
offices in Jabalya and Khan Yunis in order to receive clients. In 2005, PCHR's
branch offices in Jabalya received 99 cases. With regard to PCHR's branch office in
Khan Yunis, provision of legal aid faced extreme difficulties until the middle of
September, as a result of the repeated closures imposed by IOF on the southern Gaza
Strip, which prevented lawyers from travelling to Khan Yunis. Following the
implementation of the Disengagement Plan in the Gaza Strip, the unit sought to
activate the legal aid program in the south. To this end, the unit staff members visited
women's organizations to inform them about the services provided by the unit and the
days on which the unit lawyers are present at PCHR's office in Khan Yunis. These
efforts proved fruitful in the last quarter of 2005.
1.2) Providing Legal Consultation for Women
In 2005, the unit provided 210 legal consultations to women in person or by
telephone.
1.3) Legal Aid for Female Prisoners
No legal aid was provided to female prisoners in 2005.
1.4) Legal Aid for Women Who Are Victims of Violence
In 2005, the unit provided legal assistance to 65 women who were subject to violence.
1.5) Interventions with Official Bodies
Sharia' Courts
In 2005, the unit continued to promote its relations with official bodies, especially the
Sharia' courts and judges. It held meetings with the Chief Judge and other judges of
the Sharia' court in order to discuss various issues.
On 17 March 2005, the unit head Mona Shawa, the unit lawyers, Hanan Matar and
Sameer Hasaniya, and Agnitha Hegel from the Swedish Kvinna Till Kvinna met with
Sheikh Maher Khudair, Chief Judge of the Sharia' Appeal Court. Sheik Khudair
talked about the work of Sharia' courts. He also highly commended the cooperation
and coordination between PCHR and Sharia' courts.
1.6) Cooperation with Female Police
In 2005, the unit sought to cooperate and coordinate with the female police,
particularly its administration, to discuss possible future activities, such as organizing
training courses on human rights and women's rights for members of the female
police, which is included in the unit's plan for 2006. The unit head, Monaz Shawa,
and the unit lawyer, Hanan Matar, met with Major Einas Shalabi, chief of the female
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