Annual Report - Palestinian Center for Human Rights

the protection of civilians in Palestine, highlighting PCHR's position and experience
with regard to the protection of civilians.
UN Conference of Civil Society in Support of Middle East Peace – France
On 12 and 13 July 2005, Director of PCHR, Raji Sourani, participated in the UN
Conference of Civil Society in Support of Middle East Peace, which was held in
Paris. The conference aimed to offer an opportunity to civil society organizations
from all regions of the world to discuss the situation in the OPT, including Jerusalem,
and develop action-oriented proposals in support of Middle Eastern peace. The
conference discussed a number of issues, including: the roles of civil society
organizations; strategies for mobilization of public opinion; strategies to incorporate
governments; European civil society and support for Middle Eastern peace;
cooperation with the UN; campaigns for support of the Middle Eastern peace; and
activation of civil society's initiatives.
Arab Regional Consultative Meeting on International Criminal Court – Yemen
On 13 and 14 August 2005, Director of PCHR, Raji Sourani, on invitation from the
Arab Sister Forum for Human Rights, participated in the Arab Regional Consultative
Meeting on the International Criminal Court, which was held in Sana'a. The meeting
aimed to coordinate the endorsement of the Rome Statute of the International
Criminal Court, exchanging information and thoughts on the stand of Middle Eastern
and North African countries and studying the challenges that hinder endorsement and
implementation of the Statute. Sourani who headed the first session of the meeting
talked about the conditions of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, which constitute a
motive to support the International Criminal Court, pointing that the greatest
challenge facing the Court is the bilateral agreements concluded between the United
States and other countries to protect its citizens.
Workshop on Restrictions Imposed on Activities of NGOs – Netherlands
From 5 to 7 July 2005, Hamdi Shaqqura, Director of Democratic Development Unit,
participated in a workshop organized by NOVIB for its partners in the Middle East,
Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus to deal with restrictions imposed on
activities of NGOs. The workshop was held in the Hague.
Meeting of the European NGOs Coordination Committee on the Palestinian
Cause – Brussels
On 8 October 2005, the European NGOs Coordination Committee held a meeting in
Brussels on the Palestinian cause. Director of PCHR, Raji Sourani, submitted a
working paper, which was read on his behalf as he was not able to travel due to the
closure imposed by IOF on the Gaza Strip. The paper discussed the human rights
situation in the OPT, especially in the Gaza Strip following the implementation of the
Disengagement Plan, and PCHR's positions towards developments in Palestine.
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