Al Mezan Center for Human Rights is an independent, non-partisan, non-governmental human rights organization based in the Gaza Strip. Since its establishment in 1999, Al Mezan has been dedicated to protecting and advancing the respect of human rights — especially economic, social and cultural rights — supporting victims of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and enhancing democracy, community and citizen participation, and respect for the rule of law in Gaza as part of the occupied Palestinian territory.
-- To promote and protect human rights, with a focus on economic, social and cultural rights, in occupied Palestine, with a focus on the Gaza Strip.
-- To work towards the realization of Palestinians’ individual and collective human rights, including the right to self-determination, through the channels of international law.
-- To build and enhance the functioning of democracy and citizen participation in occupied Palestine and press towards good governance that respects human rights.
The Palestinian Human Rights Organizations Council (PHROC)
Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN)
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Network (ESCR Network)
Habitat International Coalition - Housing and Land Rights Network
Coalition for Accountability and Integrity (AMAN)
The World Organization Against Torture (OMCT)
The Palestinian Digital Rights Coalition (PDRC)
The Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR)
The Protection Cluster (Chaired by OHCHR)
Al Mezan’s main areas of action in 2017 remain predominantly the same as in 2015 and 2016. A flexible set of priorities includes a focus on monitoring and seeking accountability and access to justice both in Israel and in Gaza, challenging the closure/blockade of Gaza and strengthening the work on the unity of the Palestinian judiciary and on economic, social and cultural rights. The following areas of work provide a brief about Al Mezan's main action points.
of human rights and IHL violations: systematic gathering of data and evidence concerning violations for the purpose of intervention, prevention, protection and/or dissemination. This includes up-keeping a human rights database. Violations are monitored regardless of the identity of the violators, i.e. whether Palestinian or Israeli actors stand behind them.
Especially to victims and/or potential victims, including by litigation in oPt, Israel and abroad, and following case-files and complaints outside of courts, provision of legal advice relevant to human rights and IHL. Legal advice is directed to new areas with a focus on new mechanisms related to Palestine's accession to a number of human rights treaties and the ICC.
Maintaining relations with human rights networks, coalitions and working groups on local and international levels, collaborating with UN agencies and mechanisms, INGOs and human rights NGOs in oPt, Israel and internationally. This also includes thematic coalitions to act on specific human rights issues.
Producing materials aimed at informing the authorities in oPt, Israel and the international community on the human rights situation and violations, and advocating for respect of human rights in oPt through statements, advocacy/information documents, events and meetings with stakeholders in oPt and internationally. Al Mezan’s strategic plan stresses the need to increase the work with international community and the engagement with the UN and the EU in terms of parallel reporting and advocacy missions.
Organizing awareness/training courses, workshops, lectures, and developing awareness/training materials and providing library services. This includes deploying skills needed for increasing the capacity of relevant actors in Gaza, e.g. lawyers, schools, women, children and CBOs.
Related to human rights through research, reporting and publication of reliable materials on the human rights conditions, including maintaining a web site in Arabic, and English.
of the organization and its staff to manage and deliver the best possible services.
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