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Palestine Centers

Page history last edited by Jeff Plantilla 4 years, 1 month ago

 

Palestine Centers

 

Known Centers based in Palestine

If your center is not in this list and you want to be added, please contact HURIGHTS OSAKA and we will assist you.

 

 

 


 

 

 

ADDAMEER - Prisoners Support and Human Rights Association

 

Year Established: 1992

 

Short Historical Background

 

ADDAMEER (Arabic for conscience) Prisoners Support and Human Rights Association is a Palestinian non-governmental, civil institution which focuses on human rights issues. Established in 1992 by a group of activists interested in human rights, the center's activities focus on offering support for Palestinian prisoners, advocating the rights of political prisoners, and working to end torture through monitoring, legal procedures and solidarity campaigns.

 

Objectives

 

Addameer strives to:

  • Oppose torture as well as other instances of brutality, inhumanity, and degrading inflicted upon Palestinian prisoners.
  • Abolish the death penalty.
  • Oppose arbitrary arrest and guarantee fair and just trials.
  • Support and endorse prisoners of conscience through supporting the efforts of political prisoners and providing them with psychological, legal and media support.
  • Support families of Palestinian detainees and the community at large in addressing issues of human rights violations.
  • Contribute in lobbying towards the issuing of laws which guarantee human rights principles and basic freedom, as well as ensuring their implementation on the ground.
  • Participate in raising awareness locally and internationally regarding the issues of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in order to promote greater community participation in securing human rights.

 

Programs and Activities

 

Legal Aid Program: Since its founding, the backbone of the organization's work has been legal aid for Palestinian detainees. The Legal Aid Program of Addameer has provided legal advice and representation to hundreds of Palestinian detainees by providing free legal services to prisoners, legal consultations for them and their families, and working on cases of precedent in the issue of torture and fair trials.

 

Regular Prison Visits and Social Counseling: Addameer conducts regular visits to Palestinian and Arab prisoners in order to ensure that basic living conditions and situations are adequate. It also offers legal counseling to detainees and their families in order to ensure that they understand their rights and are able to address violations.

 

Documentation of Palestinian Detainee Rights: Addameer documents statistics concerning the numbers of detainees, date and place of arrest, and any violations suffered by detainees.

 

Media Coverage and Outreach: Addameer regularly issues press releases and action alerts detailing the status of detainee rights and has activated its website, making accessible to the local and international community a wealth of information on the issue of detainees' rights and the conditions in which they live. In particular, at the beginning of October 2000, Addameer launched a three-month project called the September 2000 Clashes Information Center that was considered the primary source of information regarding the situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

 

 

Advocacy: Through campaigning and advocacy work, Addameer works towards building local, Arab and international solidarity campaigns to oppose torture and arbitrary detention and to support and to defend Palestinian prisoners.

 

Activities

 

Special Concerns

 

Publications

 

• Status of Palestinian Political Prisoners In Israeli Prisons, Detention and Interrogation Centers

• Torture of Palestinian Political Prisoners in Israeli Prisons

• ADDAMEER Primer 2003 - Background Information on Political Detention

• ADDAMEER Fact Sheet: Palestinians detained by Israel

• Family Visits to Prisons

• Summary of Israeli Public Defenders Office Report

 

 

Address

 

ADDAMEER - Prisoners Support and Human Rights Association

Al-Isra` Bldg., 7th floor, Al-Irsal St.

Jerusalem, Palestinian Territory – Occupied

P.O. Box 713, Jerusalem 91006,

Occupied Palestinian Territories

ph (972-2) 2960446

fax (972-2) 2960447

e-mail: addameer@p-ol.com

www.addameer.org

 

 

 

 

 

Al-Haq


Year Established: 1979

Short Historical Background


Al-Haq is an independent Palestinian non-governmental human rights organization based in Ramallah, West Bank. Established in 1979 to protect and promote human rights and the rule of law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), the organization has special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
Al-Haq documents violations of the individual and collective rights of Palestinians in the OPT, irrespective of the identity of the perpetrator, and seeks to end such breaches by way of advocacy
before national and international mechanisms and by holding the violators accountable. The organization conducts research; prepares reports, studies and interventions on breaches of international human rights and humanitarian law in the OPT; and undertakes advocacy before local, regional and international bodies. Al-Haq also cooperates with Palestinian civil society organizations and governmental institutions in order to ensure that international human rights standards are reflected in Palestinian laws and policies. Al-Haq’s vision is to see the rule of law and standards of international human rights and humanitarian law implemented and adhered to, so that Palestinians can enjoy equal treatment with respect to their human dignity, free from occupation and with the full
realization of their right to self-determination.

Objectives


Al-Haq aims to protect and promote human rights and the rule of law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) by
• Promoting laws and policies at the national and international levels that respect and comply with international law
• Pursuing accountability of perpetrators and justice for victims of international human rights and humanitarian law violations in the OPT
• Fostering the development of Al-Haq’s work as a center for applied international humanitarian and human rights law

• Improving Al-Haq’s organizational capacity, effectiveness and potential sustainability.

Programs and Activities


Al Haq has a Monitoring and Documentation Department that regularly issues three-monthly reports covering human rights abuses that occurred during the reporting period. Since the beginning of
2006, each report highlights a specific trend.
First-hand documentation by Al-Haq’s Monitoring and Documentation Department constitutes the backbone of all other projects and activities undertaken by the organization.
Al-Haq’s fieldworkers gather information and affidavits from victims of, and eyewitnesses to, human rights violations throughout the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The field reports do not
cover the Gaza Strip, since Al-Haq has no fieldworkers there. The Department continuously documents violations of all sorts, including comprehensive coverage of killings, house demolitions, curfews, and deportations. The information gathered is channelled to Al-Haq’s advocacy at the local and international levels, including its interventions, legal research reports and campaigns.

Special Concerns


Human rights advocacy, monitoring, education and awareness raising

Publications


Books
• Settlements and Settler violence
• Housing, land and natural resources
• Freedom of Movement & Social rights
• Military administration and legal remedies
• Population transfer and residency right
• Wall and Jerusalem
• Right to life and bodily integrity
• Shifting Paradigms - Israel’s Enforcement of the Buffer Zone in the Gaza Strip (2011)
• Al-Haq’s Questions and Answers: Palestine’s UN Initiatives and the Representation of the Palestinian People’s Rights (2011)
• Limits to the powers of Palestinian Security Agencies to Detain Palestinian Civilians [Arabic] (2011)
• Illegal Trial of Palestinian Civilian Persons before Palestinian Military Courts [Arabic] (2011)
• Collective Punishment in Awarta [Arabic] (2011).


Monitoring and Documentation Reports:
• July - December 2011
• January - June 2011
• July- December 2010
• April - June 2010
• March 2010
• September 2009

Other Information


Al Haq has a specialized international law library for the use of its staff and the local community.

Address


Al-Haq
54 Main Street 2nd & 3rd Fl. - Opp. Latin Patriarchate
Saint Andrew’s Evangelical Church - (Protestant Hall)
Ramallah - West Bank Palestine

P.O. Box 1413, West Bank, Palestine

ph (972) 295 6421; 295 4646
fax (972) 295 4903
e-mail: haq[a]alhaq.org; library[a]alhaq.org
www.alhaq.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alhaq_org

 

 

Al Mezan Center for Human Rights

 

Year Established:1999

 

Short Historical Background

 

Al Mezan Center for Human Rights is a Palestinian non-governmental, non-partisan organization based in the refugee camp of Jabalia in the Gaza Strip. Al Mezan's mandate is "to promote, protect and prevent violations of human rights in general and economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights in particular, to provide effective aid to those victims of such violations, and to enhance the quality of life of the community in marginalized sectors of the Gaza Strip."

 

 

Objectives

 

The Center aims

1. To provide a secure and long-lasting foundation for the enjoyment of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).

2. To encourage the realization and development of economic, social, and cultural rights through monitoring and documentation of violation of basic rights

3. To provide legal aid and advocacy and build capacity and raise awareness of the local community on such fundamental issues such as basic human rights, democracy, and international humanitarian.

 

 

Programs and Activities

 

Monitoring and documentation of human rights violations - monitors and documents the human rights situation and gathers necessary information about human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) perpetrated by the Israeli occupation on one side and by the responsible Palestinian entities on the other. The work focuses particularly on economic, social and cultural rights.

 

Awareness and capacity building - includes various activities such as:

  • Training courses for a variety of groups, including United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) school-teachers, activists in the rights of the child, health personnel, staff of rehabilitation institution for people with disability, and women.
  • "Face the Public" program which consists of meetings facilitated by Al Mezan, involving representatives of Palestinian Authority, Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), local government, United Nations bodies or non-governmental organizations to discuss specific economic, social and cultural rights-related issues with the local community.
  • "Pass the Word" program which aims to raise consciousness in human rights among university students in the Gaza Strip. The program was designed to address the obvious need for human rights education among university students. It consists in recruiting a group of students to train and raise their awareness of different human rights issues in order for them to 'pass the word' to their fellow students through well-organized discussion sessions.
  • Workshops and lectures.
  • Annual Conference on the PNA Budget to pave the way and create a process for a more transparent and accessible budgetary process, based on an assessment of the needs of the population in each sector, and for which the PNA is fully accountable vis-*-vis the local community of the OPT. This pilot project in 2003 has become a core project of the Center.

 

Legal Aid and Representation - includes the representation of prisoners of Israeli and Palestinian authorities, victims of land confiscation, home demolition, people prevented from travelling, labor and other cases and complaints in relation to violations of economic and social rights.

 

Legal Review - reviews draft or enacted laws in the OPT. This constitutes an essential component of advocacy for human rights standards and rule of law and the Center coordinates with different actors of the civil society to lobby the PLC and governmental entities to enhance laws by meeting international human rights standards.

 

Research and Analysis - produces analytical research reports on the situation relating to economic, social and cultural rights in the Gaza Strip and of the PNA's annual budget to make recommendations to the appropriate decision-making bodies at the local level; to raise the awareness of UN bodies and international human rights organizations on the violations of economic, social and cultural rights in Gaza through international advocacy and to maintain ongoing communications with both; to raise the awareness of the local community on economic, social and cultural rights and of the PNA's budgetary policies as a tool of ensuring better enjoyment of these rights.

 

Reporting and Publications - includes joint statements; monitoring reports; special incident reports; press releases; legal publications within the "Legal Guide Series" which is a series of simplified studies of national laws aiming at providing ordinary people with simple, palatable and direct information on the rights included in these laws; and publications on the diverse trainings and events carried out by the Center.

 

Resource Library - Al Mezan has developed a human rights library in the refugee camp of Jabalia that will be used as an information center for Al Mezan staff, researchers, students, and the public. It is expected to largely contribute to the human rights and development culture in this marginalized area once it is open for the public.

 

 

Publications

 

  • Field Report: Violations Against Civil Society Organizations and Trade and Popular Unions Between 11 and 20 June 2007 in the Gaza Strip and West Bank - jointly submitted by Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights and Al-Haq

 

  • Joint statement: Letter of Palestinian Human Rights Organisations Submitted to Member States and Observers of the UN Human Rights Council

 

  • Jungle of Guns & Law of the Jungle
  • Report on Infringements upon the Law and the State of Insecurity in the Gaza Strip. Gaza, January 2007

 

  • Cut-Flowers in Gaza: A Special Report on the Impacts of Israeli Rights Violations on Gaza's Cut-Flower Business

 

  • Annual Narrative Report, 1 January- 31 December 2006

 

A Manual on Priorities for Action on Issues of Child Rights

 

 

Address

 

Al Mezan Center for Human Rights

5/102-1 Al Mena, Omar El-Mukhtar Street

Western Rimal, Gaza City

The Gaza Strip, Palestine

P.O. Box. 5270

Gaza Strip

Palestine

Main Office (Gaza): +972 8 2820442/ 2820447

Jabalia Office: +972 8 2453555/ 2453554

Rafah office: +972 8 2137120

e-mail: mezan[a]palnet.com; info[a]mezan.org

www.mezan.org

 

 

 

 

BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights


Year Established: 1998

Short Historical Background


BADIL Resource Center was established based on recommendations issued by a series of popular refugee conferences in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. BADIL is registered with the Palestinian
Authority and legally owned by the refugee community represented by a General Assembly composed of activists in Palestinian national institutions and refugee community organizations. BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights is an independent, community-based non-profit organization mandated to defend and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees and the internally displaced people (IDPs).

Objectives


The BADIL Resource Center aims to empower Palestinians, in particular refugees and IDPs, and assist local, regional and international actors to achieve a situation where international law and best
practice are applied so that forcible displacement of Palestinians will end, and durable solutions and reparations for the displaced can be implemented.

Programs and Activities


Capacity Building
• Youth Education & Activation Project
• Strategy Forum
• Al-Awda Award Outreach, Support and Alliance Building
• Ongoing Nakba Education Center
• Mobilization of Popular Initiatives Research, Mobilization and Interventions with Duty Bearers
• Research Papers & Briefs
• Mobilization
• Legal Advocacy

Special Concerns


International Humanitarian Law, International Human Rights Law, and Residency and Refugees Rights

Publications


Print
• Desk Calendar, Posters, Children’s Stories and other tools
• Survey of Palestinian Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (bi-annually)
Periodicals
• Al Majdal (quarterly magazine in English)
• Haq al Awda (Arabic)
• Quarterly Newsletter
• Midterm and Annual Reports

Address


BADIL Resource Center
Karkafa St.
Bethlehem
West Bank, Palestine

P.O. Box 728,West Bank, Palestine

ph (972-2) 274-7346; 277-7086
fax (972-2) 972-2-274-7346
www.badil.org and www.ongoingnakba.org

 

 

Democracy and Workers Rights Center


Year established: 1993

 

Short historical background

 

The Democracy and Workers’ Rights Center (DWRC) in Palestine was established in October 1993 by a group of lawyers, academics, trade unionists and other prominent figures in the Palestinian
society as the result of a series of workshops on “Democracy in Palestine and the role of civil society organizations in building a state of institutions and the sovereignty of law” convened in various
parts of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The participants of these workshops reached a consensus that workers should have a major role to play in building a Palestinian society based on democracy,
social justice and the rule of law. Thus, from its establishment, DWRC’s mandate has been to defend Palestinian female and male workers’ rights, and promote the principles of democracy, social
equality and justice in the Palestinian territories.
DWRC has the following vision: a Palestinian society where peace, democracy, social justice and equality prevail, and where human rights and fundamental liberties reign supreme among its
political, economic, social and cultural principles. It has the following Mission: spreading a trade union and democratic culture among men and women, reinforcing the skills and knowledge of
female and male trade union leaders, informing them about their rights and mechanisms of protection, providing them with legal assistance and encouraging them to form representative bodies on a democratic basis.

 

Objectives

 

DWRC’s current strategic goal is the establishment of a comprehensive social protection system in Palestine. To this end, its objectives are:
1. To promote a Palestinian trade union movement with representative and bargaining power, independent in its internal policy and decision-making that serves as an example to other social
movements
2. To guarantee basic social security services through the establishment of social funds that protect the rights of male and female workers in the formal and informal economy
3. To strengthen the rule of law, the implementation and improvement of legislation related to fundamental labor rights, including equal opportunities and non-discrimination
4. To contribute in reducing the social, economic and political effects of unemployment
5. To establish an institute for trade union and democratic education in Palestine.


Programs and Activities

 

• Legal Aid and Human Rights Protection
• Freedom of Association and the Right to Organize
• Training and Education
• Work Environment and Occupational Health & Safety Program
• Research and Studies
• Networking
• Economic and Social Empowerment


Publications


• Discrimination Between Male and Female Workers in Employment and Occupation (2009)
• A Study on Palestinian Labor Disputes and the Role of Courts [Executive Summary] (2008)
• Legal Study on Arbitrary Dismissal: Between Theories & Practice (2008)
• Discrimination study in the public service – Palestine (2007)
• Reinforcing the capacity of the Palestinian labor market to absorb the Palestinian labor force (2007)
• Study on Discrimination between Male and Female Workers in Employment and Occupation (2007)
• The Informal Sector in the Palestinian Territories (2008)
• Work Conditions and Circumstances in Palestinian Workplaces (2007)
• Workers Rights in Industrial Establishments (2008).


Address


Democracy and Workers’ Rights Center (DWRC)
Headquarters office
Ramallah, Al-Irsal, Al-Masayef Compound
Emile Touma St., Palestine

P.O. Box 876, Palestine
Gaza office: Gaza Al-Naser
ph (970-2) 2952608
fax (970-2) 2952985
e-mail: info[a]dwrc.org, gaza[a]dwrc.org
www.dwrc.org

 

 

 

 

Human Rights and Democracy Media Center (SHAMS)


Year Established: 2003


Short Historical Background


The Human Rights and Democracy Media Center - SHAMS, is an independent Palestinian non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 2003 in Ramallah by a group of academics, teachers and human rights activists. SHAMS believes in equity among all human beings regardless to age, gender, race, religion or political affiliation. SHAMS focuses on the connection between civil, political, economical, social and cultural rights and convinced that such connection is essential in shaping debate on democracy and human rights.


Objectives


SHAMS aims
1. To disseminate information about human rights, democracy, and good governance issuesthrough the utilization of the media
2. To promote human rights concepts in Palestinian legislation
3. To strengthen the role of women within their communities
4. To strengthen the role of youth and more generally promote volunteerism in Palestine
5. To undertake capacity-building activities and strengthen the relationship and cooperation between local, regional and international institutions
6. To compile and publish research reports and studies
7. To promote change within the society, especially by countering stereotypes and biases towards women, increasing values of tolerance, and awareness of democratic principles and participation
8. To empower target groups to be able to demand and defend their needs and rights.


Programs and Activities

 

• Human Rights - SHAMS supports human rights though a variety of means and mechanisms, from legal support to capacity building operations aimed at both individuals and organizations.
Capacity building through various means is a major mechanism of human rights work including training of trainers in human rights issues, provision of legal aid and support to human rights (and other civil society) organizations which have illegally been shut down by the Palestinian Authority, and the strengthening and deepening of democratic processes and institutions in the West Bank (democratic participation is viewed as a basic human right).
One project with the Ministry of Awqaf (Religious Endowments) introduced female preachers to the concept of human rights, which is often put in stark contrast to Qur’anic teachings or dismissed as
a tool of Western imperialism. The training course also discussed more specific topics such as honor killings or the acceptance of violence towards women by men/husbands, which is often believed
acceptable on a religious basis.
• Democratic Participation - SHAMS emphasizes the role of the citizens by raising awareness on the importance of citizens participation in the democratic process as a whole, and providing in114
formation so that citizens are able to fully and smoothly practice their rights, including voting away from tribal influences or family pressure.
SHAMS also undertakes elections monitoring focusing on the youth and women and providing education of the public on the importance of democratic participation and religious tolerance and
dialogue.
• Rule of Law and Good Governance - SHAMS has an ongoing project with the Palestinian Security Forces and Civic Society Organization that aims to reinforce the concepts of human rights and good governance within the security sector.
• Women - SHAMS joined activities with various women's groups, which previously never participated in any event with men (such as the Hebron Women’s Association, established in 1956).
In several villages, it was also apparent that it was the first time women and men participated together in any public gathering, workshop, or training course.
• Media and Research - Shams has various media units and projects

Television: biweekly television program called “Cases and Opinions” broadcasted on local TV channels (Ma’an Network, and Mix satellite _channel) and mostly presents legal, youth, and rights issues, where academics and experts _discuss the relevant topics. Shams has also produced and distributed various rights issuebased television reports to other TV programs.
Radio: radio interviews with academics, on-the-ground professionals and activists pertaining to current projects and issues surrounding those projects
Print media: quarterly newspaper supplement named “Democratic Readings” that tackles issues relating to human rights, good governance, women’s rights, youth, etc.
Press releases: SHAMS also regularly publishes press releases on human rights violations throughout the Palestinian territories, and statements concerning world events. In addition, SHAMS projects
are generally covered by several local newspapers, including Al- Hayya, Al-Quds and Al-Ayyam.

 

Publications


In cooperation with a network of academics, SHAMS publishes a number of reports, studies, publications, and larger works of research covering, among others, the following topics: Capacity
Building (Guide for Training of Trainers, Manual for Capacity Building of Civil Society Organizations), Women’s Rights in Islamic Law, Legal Status of Israeli Settlements and Occupation of East
Jerusalem, Democracy (Separation of Powers, Rule of Law, Youth Role in Electoral Participation, Women’s Role in Electoral Processes), Youth Community Development, Surveys of the NGO and Voluntary Sector in Palestine, etc.
Reports

  • Promoting the concept of Human Rights to SHARIA student
  • Youth dialogue project “We and the other: the absent relation”
  • Promote the concepts of human rights and the rule of law among the Palestinian universities’ students
  • “Let’s Participate”
  • Supporting Human Rights/Good Governance NGOs
  • Reports 2008:
  • Completion Report Bridging the Gap Project
  • Culture of Tolerance and Accepting One another Project- Phase II
  • Final Report Youth initiative project
  • The Culture of Tolerance & Accepting One Another
  • Report of the project “the culture of human rights and democracy for the students of the Islamic Law “Sharia” Colleges and the religious institutions in the West Bank”.
  • SHAMS – monthly newsletter


Address

 

Human Rights and Democracy Media Center SHAMS
Ramallah: Palestine: AL-Masuon: Sendian3 Building 1st Floor, Luis
Favro St
P.O. Box: 429
Ramallah, Palestine
ph (972 2) 2985254
fax (972 2) 2985255
e-mail: info[a]shams-pal.org; c_shams[a]hotmail.com; omarrahal98[a]hotmail.com
www.shams-pal.org

 

 

 

Jerusalem Center for Social & Economic Rights (JCSER)


Year Established: 1997


Short Historical Background


The Jerusalem Center for Social & Economic Rights (JCSER) is a Palestinian non-governmental human rights organization based in Jerusalem. It was established in 1997 by lawyers and members of
the Palestinian community to provide legal assistance and representation to Palestinian residents of occupied Jerusalem who were subjected to discriminatory policies by the Israeli authorities.
JCSER developed from a local committee established in 1992 to support Palestinian residents of occupied Jerusalem unable to pay the Israeli Municipal Business and Property (Arnona) Tax. JCSER
is considered one of the leading institutions specifically devoted to providing legal representation and consultation on social and economic rights to the Palestinian community in Jerusalem.
JCESR’s has adopted the following mission:
An independent, democratic and sovereign Palestinian state, in which all of its citizens enjoy their basic rights, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political
or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.


Objectives


JCESR aims
1. To defend the existing individual and collective social and economic rights of Palestinians in Jerusalem against further erosion as a result of changes in Israeli policy and legislation, and ensure
that these rights are not violated through arbitrary action by the Israeli authorities
2. To challenge and reduce institutional discrimination against the Palestinian community in Jerusalem and to expand the rights available to the Palestinian community in Jerusalem within Israel’s legislative environment
3. To collect and provide data about social and economic rights violations, discriminatory legislation, regulations and practices, and their consequences for the Palestinian community
4. To promote awareness among decision-makers and the general public, locally as well as internationally, about Israeli violations of Palestinian rights in East Jerusalem, and more broadly the fundamental incompatibility between Palestinian rights and Israeli military occupation

5. To empower the Palestinian community in Jerusalem to efthrough the JMC bulletin. JMC district reporters actively document the cases at the local level and correspond with the JMC center.
6. To monitor and document human rights violations against the Palestinian population in East Jerusalem
7. To provide legal assistance and representation, publish scientific studies and research on social and economic issues, and raise public awareness.


Programs


JCESR implements the following programs:
• Legal Program
• Data Base
• Research
• Awareness Raising
• Networking
• Policy formulation
• Media and information


Special Concern


JCESR acts on the following issues:
• Residency rights:
• ID Card confiscation
• Family unification
• Child registration
• Social security rights, including social insurance:
• Access to health services
• Provision of allowances and social benefits
• Municipal services & municipality (Arnona) tax system:
• Provision of equal services
• Building restrictions and illegal building
• Consequences of illegal building, including house demolitions, fines and imprisonment
• Cases related to other Israeli violations.

 

Publications

 

  • Annual Narrative Reports (2000 to present)
  • Monthly Reports
  • Articles

          •  Israeli violations of Palestinian Human Rights in Jerusalem (January and February 2012)
          • Human rights violations in Jerusalem during the month of December 2011
          • Human Rights Violations in Jerusalem during the month of November 2011
          • Israeli violations of Palestinian Human Rights in Jerusalem (October 2011)
          • Several Israeli violations to the Human Rights of Jerusalem People through the month of September 2011
          • Israeli Violations of Palestinian Human Rights in Jerusalem in May 2011
          • Violations of Palestinian Human Rights in Jerusalem in March 2010
          • Israeli violations of Palestinian Rights in January 2010
          • Violations of Palestinian Human Rights in Jerusalem in February 2010.

 

Address

 

Jerusalem Center for Social and Economic Rights (JCSER)

Al-Rasheed Street, Jerusalem, 97200 Israel

PO Box 67807

Jerusalem, 97200 Israel

ph (972-2) 6271 776; 6275-446

fax (972-2) 6273 516

e-mail: info[a]jcser.org

www.jcser.org

www.facebook.com/groups/352596076087/

 

 

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

 

Year Established: 1995

 

Short Historical Background

 

The Centre was established in 1995 by a group of Palestinian lawyers and human rights activists. It is an independent Palestinian human rights organization based in Gaza City. The Centre enjoys Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations. It is an affiliate of the International Commission of Jurists-Geneva, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) - Paris, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network - Copenhagen, Arab Organization for Human Rights - Cairo, and International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC) Stockholm. It is a recipient of the 1996 French Republic Award on Human Rights and the 2002 Bruno Kreisky Award for Outstanding Achievements in the Area of Human Rights.

 

Objectives

 

The Center aims

1) To protect human rights and promote the rule of law in accordance with international standards.

2) To create and develop democratic institutions and an active civil society, while promoting democratic culture within Palestinian society.

3) To support all efforts aimed at enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable rights in regard to self-determination and independence in accordance with international Law and UN resolutions.

.

 

Programs and Activities

 

Documentation - gathering of accurate and documented information on human rights violations in the Gaza Strip from victims and witnesses of human rights violations through close cooperation with communities. In this way, the community is able to influence the work of the Centre and the Centre is better able to meet the community's interests and demands.

 

Legal assistance - provision of free legal aid and counseling to individuals and groups, especially Palestinian prisoners in Israeli or PNA custody. It also includes legal intervention with concerned bodies and courts in cases that involve broad principles of human rights that affect not just the individual before the court but the community as a whole.

 

Furthermore, the Legal Unit attempts to support the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.

 

Democratic Development - promotion of democracy, and civil society and the rule of law. This involves research, organization of workshops and seminars to discuss issues relating to human rights and democracy, preparation of comments on draft laws prepared by the Palestinian Authority in an effort to influence the decision-making process and the adoption of democratic laws, and provision of training on human rights and democracy for youth groups.

 

Economic and Social Rights - promotion of the importance of economic and social rights through research and study. Studies, workshops, and seminars focusing on economic and social rights in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are held for this purpose. The activities are meant to develop recommendations and standards for each of these rights to be fulfilled in the Palestinian context. There are also reviews and assessments of the legislation and draft laws pertaining to these rights adopted by the Palestinian Authority in an effort to secure legislation that is in harmony with international standards. Finally, there is also to informative training base for governmental and non-governmental personnel who are empowered to set plans and implement programs and policies relevant to these rights. The goal of such training is to help bring economic and social rights into alignment with the standards accepted internationally and to ensure the maximum degree of implementation.

 

Women's program - provides legal aid for women and women's organizations and acts on behalf of women in Sharia' and civil courts. It educates women on their rights enshrined in international human rights conventions and under local law. Finally, it carries out studies on Palestinian women and the law, while supporting the amendment of local laws inconsistent with women's rights. There is also an increasing focus on the rights of children and the effects of human rights violations on children.

 

Training - educates the general public about democracy and human rights issues and provides specialized training in these areas to enable them to put greater pressure on government officials to guarantee that their rights are not violated, and to strengthen democracy and the rule of law in Palestinian society. The work involves holding training courses, hosting expert meetings, and coordinating awareness-raising campaigns.

 

Special Concerns

 

Publications

 

PCHR publishes

 

a. Reports

  • Weekly Reports on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
  • Annual Reports
  • Issue-based reports (Closure Reports, Election Reports, Demolition & Land Sweeping Reports, Silencing the Press, Assassinations, Palestinian Medical Personnel: Between Fire and Their Work)
  • Special Reports (Black Days in the Absence of Justice: Report on Bloody Fighting in the Gaza Strip from 7 to 14 June 2007, Poverty in the Gaza Strip, Deprived of Freedom, Reprisals against Civilians, Front Line Palestine: Killings, Arbitrary Detention, Restrictions on Movement, Threats, Harassment and Other Forms of Intimidation of Human Rights Defenders in the Occupied Palestinian Territory)
  • Al-Mentar - monthly magazine (Arabic)

 

b. Studies

  • Confirm the kill: IOF Killings of Children during the al Aqsa Intifada May 2006
  • Suffering in Isolation: A report on life under occupation in the Mawasi areas in the Gaza Strip 02 August 2003
  • Palestinian Legislative Council: Performance Evaluation (1999-2000, 2000-2001)
  • The Right to Free Expression and the Right to Peaceful Assembly: The Case of the West Bank and Gaza Strip (January 1, 1999-April 30,2000)
  • Politicization of International Humanitarian Law
  • Palestinian Legislative Council: Performance Evaluation of Third Term (March 1998-March 1999)
  • The Right to Freedom of Expression and the Right to Peaceful Assembly Under The Palestinian National Authority
  • The Bitter Life: A Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Yellow Areas in the Gaza Strip
  • IVth Geneva Convention and Israeli Occupation of Palestinian Territories
  • Critical Comments on the Draft Law of Charitable Associations and Community Organisations
  • International Initiative Project On Human Rights And Final Status Issues
  • A Comprehensive Survey of Israeli Settlements in the Gaza Strip
  • The Clashes of September 1996: Investigation into Causes and the Use of Force
  • The Israeli Policy of Closure: Legal, Political, and Humanitarian Evaluation
  • Critique of the Second Palestinian Draft Law Concerning Charitable Societies, Social Bodies, and Private Institutions of 1995
  • Critique of the Party Law 1995 Issued by the Palestinian Authority
  • Critique of the Palestinian Press Law Of 1995.

 

 

Address

 

Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

29 Omar El Mukhtar Street, Near Amal Hotel

PO Box 1328 Gaza City, Palestine

ph/fax (972) 82824-776, 82825-893

e-mail: pchr[a]pchrgaza.org

www.pchrgaza.org

 

 

 

Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group (PHRMG)

 

Year Established: 1996

 

Short Historical Background

 

The Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group (PHRMG) was founded in December 1996 in response to the deteriorating state of democracy and human rights under the newly established Palestinian Authority. The group was founded by a diverse group of well-established Palestinians, including Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) members, newspaper editors, journalists, a union leader, veteran human rights activists and religious leaders. The political composition of its founders is diverse - including members of many Palestinian organizations and institutions - thereby ensuring the non-partisan character of the organization.

 

Objective

 

The PHRMG aims to document human rights violations committed against Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, regardless of who is responsible. In effect, the PHRMG has dedicated much of its work to the monitoring of human rights violations committed by the Palestinian Authority.

 

Programs and Activities

 

Monitoring program - provides updates on local developments, pursues long-term monitoring tasks, and responds to urgent human rights situations in order to record the eyewitness testimonies of victims, witnesses and other actors.

 

Outreach program - publishes a bi-monthly report (the Palestinian Human Rights Monitor) that focuses on particular issues (torture and illegal detention, freedom of expression and the censorship of the Palestinian press, or the right to education of Palestinian children in East Jerusalem) to educate the Palestinian public on human rights and to strengthen democracy and the role of civil society.

 

Other Outreach activities include facilitating local and international media access to human rights issues in Palestine, initiating dialogue activities with institutions responsible for human rights violations, and implementing special projects.

 

The PHRMG also maintains an extensive website - both in Arabic and in English - to grant wide access to all the publications of the Monitor, unpublished reports, and additional data and statistics collected by the organization.

 

Publications

 

The Palestinian Human Rights Monitor (bi-monthly magazine)

 

Address

 

Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group (PHRMG)

Beit Hanina

Ahmad Jaber House

Behind Abu-Eisheh car sale

East Jerusalem

ph (972-2) 5838189

fax (972-2) 5837197

e-mail: admin[a]phrmg.org

www.phrmg.org

 

 

 

 

 

Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH)

 

Year Established: 1998

 

Short Historical Background

 

The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue & Democracy (MIFTAH) is a non-governmental, non-partisan Jerusalem-based institution dedicated to fostering democracy and good governance within Palestinian society through promoting public accountability, transparency, the free flow of information and ideas, and the challenging of stereotyping at home and abroad.

 

Objectives

 

MIFTAH aims

 

1. To reinforce the Palestinian state-building process through ensuring democratic practices, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.

2. To promote free access and flow of information.

3. To empower Palestinian women and youth leaders in different fields and promote the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

4. To provide a forum for innovative public discourse and free debate on issues of Palestinian concern, bringing together decision-makers and members of civil society.

5. To increase global awareness and knowledge of Palestinian realities by providing reliable, accurate and comprehensive information, policy analysis, strategic briefings and position papers.

6. To complement and solidify international efforts pertaining to cooperation and conflict-resolution based on genuine understanding of the facts, the issues at stake, and the implications of foreign policy decisions on national, regional and global realities.

 

Programs

 

A. Democracy and Good Governance Program

 

MIFTAH's Governance and Democracy program aims at strengthening governance and the rule of law, establishing efficient and transparent systems of accountability, promoting political pluralism and participatory governance, and supporting leadership among women and youth.

 

B. Media and Information

 

MIFTAH's media and information program aims at an accurate presentation of Palestinian social, economic and political realities for the region and internationally.

 

C. External Relations

 

This programme focuses on Palestinian-US and Palestinian-European relations with a view to promoting MIFTAH's guiding principles of democracy, human rights, gender equity and participatory governance in Palestine

 

 

Publications

 

  • Fact Sheets

         o Youth & Politics in Palestine

         o The National Budget Cycle: Palestine

  • Engendering the National Budget
  • Reports

         o Palestine in Crisis: Policy Papers (series)

  • The Relation Between the Financial Dependency of the Judiciary & Legislative Systems on the Executive and its Ramification on the Performance of the Three Bodies
  • Glossary of Concepts & Definitions on Reproductive Rights
  • Glossary of Concepts & Definitions on Gender

 

 

Address

 

The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue & Democracy (MIFTAH)

Rimawi Bldg., 3rd floor, Al-Massayef St., Ramallah,

Jerusalem, 95908 Israel

P.O. Box 69647

Jerusalem, 95908 Israel

ph (972-2) 2989490/1

fax (972-2) 583 5184

e-mail: info[a]miftah.org; secretarygeneral[a]miftah.org

www.miftah.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies

 

Year Established:1998

 

Short Historical Background

 

The Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies (RCHRS) was established in Ramallah in 1998 by a group of academics, human rights activists and university professors who felt the need for promoting awareness and advocating the values of human rights, democracy and tolerance among the Palestinian people. Over the past decade RCHRS articulated its mission and vision to include the valorization of tolerance and human rights, and particularly educational rights and freedom of expression. RCHRS expanded its events and activities to the most remote areas of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and included in its projects and publications an ever-increasing number of university students, intellectuals, and other members of Palestinian society. It has also been releasing a growing number of periodical publications and books, and is now taking its values and successes beyond Palestine, and onto the regional and international scenes.

 

RCHRS is founded upon the belief that an understanding and appreciation of tolerance, human rights, and the fundamental freedoms are indispensable in any society, and particularly so in a society that is being shaped day-by-day as is the Palestinian one.

 

By educating the Palestinian youth and intellectuals to its founding values, RCHRS hopes to stimulate a political, social and cultural space for dialogue and criticism, which is free of repression and discrimination, provocative and constructive.

 

Objectives

 

RCHRS aims

1) To raise the awareness on human rights violations in Palestine, and on the need to safeguard the fundamental freedoms of all Palestinians and to ensure justice in all aspects of their life

2) To promote tolerance and the creation of a discrimination-free society in which pluralism is encouraged and diversity appreciated

3) To advocate freedoms of opinion and expression, including intellectual freedom, and to call for the democratization and not politicization of education and the independence of the security forces and the national army from the political parties.

 

 

Programs and Activities

 

DTolerance "Tasamuh " Program - Tolerance has become one of the major components of the RCHRS's identity and its name has become synonymous with tolerance. In Palestine, RCHRS arranges the following activities and actions in order to enhance the culture of tolerance in targeted communities:

• Tolerance among university students

• Tasamuh Exhibition

• Tasamuh Quarterly

• Regional Network for Tolerance.

 

Educational Rights Advocacy Program - this program is based on the RCHRS’s conviction that education is a fundamental factor to the development of the Palestinian economy. Since the beginning of the last decade, Palestine has been governed by alternating political parties, a reality which led to instability leaving its mark on Palestinian education and progress. At the same time, however, education has always been valued in Palestine, and it was held among the priorities of all the parties in power for the past century. The program includes a series of activities, which focus on ensuring legal prosecution of violations perpetuated in the educational sector.

• Advocating Educational Rights in Palestine

• Democratization and Good Governance in Universities

• Human Rights in Higher Religious Education

• Free Education Monthly Newsletter.

 

Freedom of Thought and Expression Program - promoting and safeguarding the freedom of expression and media pluralism is one of RCHRS core activities since its inception. It is worth mentioning that RCHRS bases all its actions related to freedom of thought and expression on article 19 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. In its advocacy of the rights of thought and expression, RCHRS takes the following actions:

• Inter-religious and Intercultural Dialogue

• Discourse Analysis

• Media, Publicity and Censorship/ Freedom of Access to Information

• Information Freedom, Diversity and Pluralism.

 

Democratization and Good Governance - the idea of this program was first brought up among RCHRS members as a response to the need for change in a variety of the socio-political components of Palestinian life, including elections, leadership, and governance. The program aims therefore at promoting the values of democracy, tolerance, and the rights of minorities and marginalized communities. In democratization and good governance, RCHRS takes the following actions:

• Gender and Youth Participation

• Political Parties and Democracy

• Social Peace and Democratization

 

Publications

 

  • Tolerance in Edward Said’s Thought (2007)
  • Religion and State in Palestine (2007)
  • Arabs and Secularism (2006)
  •  Islamic Issues – Topics in Reform and Renovation (2006)
  • On Religious Higher Education and Human Rights (2003)
  • Freedom of Opinion and Expression: the Palestinian Experience (2003)

 

Tasamuh (Tolerance) and Free Education - periodical publications - collection of scholarly articles on selected themes of topical interest and a newsletter entirely run by university students, and focusing on their own interpretation and criticisms of educational rights.

 

 

Other Information

 

RCHRS is an active member of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH). It also holds the following positions in national and international networks: the Federation of Human Rights Centers in Arab Countries (NAS, Vice President), The Arab Network for Tolerance (Coordinating Organization), Takamul Network (Member of the Executive Board and Palestine Coordinator). Finally, RCHRS is also member of the Arab Covenant for Democracy, and Middle East North Africa Action Network on Small Arms (MENAANSA).

 

Address

 

Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies

Al-Qadisiya Street

Ramallah - West Bank

Palestine

P.O. Box 2424

Ramallah -West Bank

Palestine

ph (9722) 241 3001

fax (9722) 241 3002

e-mail: rchrs[a]rchrs.org

www.rchrs.org

 

 

 

 

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