Fishermen in Gaza Join Al Mezan’s Latest Workshop on “Protection of Civilians under International Humanitarian Law”

On Monday, 3 September 2018, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights organized a workshop to Palestinian fishermen to raise their awareness of the protection of civilians as enshrined in the principles of international humanitarian law (IHL). 30 fishermen from the Middle Area district participated in the workshop, and they had been nominated by the Syndicate of Fishermen.

The workshop participants were welcomed by Ms. Noha Abu Thareefa, lawyer at Al Mezan a member of its Training and Mass Communication Unit, who first briefed attendees about the importance of gaining familiarity with IHL’s essential principles of protecting civilians in contexts of armed conflict.

Ms. Abu Thareefa discussed with the fishermen the difficult economic situation faced by the latter—a consequence to Israel’s severe restrictions of the fishing zone and ongoing attacks against fishermen from Gaza who work in Palestinian territorial water. Through the discussion, attending fishermen had an opportunity to reflect on the various Israeli violations to which they are subject on a regular basis, as well as to learn of relevant provisions from IHL—primarily, the Fourth Geneva Convention and the Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions. 

“Regulations have been set forth in IHL to ensure the policies and practices of an Occupying Power afford civilians their due protection,” Ms. Abu Thareefa said. “As such, international litigation can be pursued to seek an end to violations, including through the various mechanisms of the United Nations as well as the relentless work of Al Mezan to hold  to account Israeli perpetuators and sponsors of violations and to seek return of boats and fishing equipment seized or confiscated by Israeli forces.”

At the end of the workshop, Mr. Mohammed Al-Da’alisa, Al Mezan’s field worker in the Middle Area, presented on Al Mezan’s work in monitoring and documenting violations, explaining the need for collaboration between Al Mezan and victims of violations to continue this work while providing legal aid to any victim.

The workshop is part of Al Mezan’s commitment to promoting IHL and human rights in Gaza and is supported by Diakonia through the joint project “Protection and Promotion of IHL in Gaza”.