On Thursday, 17 December 2015, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights hosted the closing ceremony of a specialized training course for lawyers entitled “Development of Lawyers’ Legal Skills in Palestinian Law, International Humanitarian Law, and International Human Rights Law’.

The training lasted for six months. It is an annual activity organized by Al Mezan for lawyers and aims to strengthen their legal skills in Palestinian law, international human rights law and international humanitarian law. The course was comprised of 150 theoretical training hours and 25 practical hours including field visits to different human rights organizations and rehabilitation centers. This course was organized for the thirteenth consecutive year. 30 lawyers graduated from the course.

Mr. Issam Younis, Al Mezan’s director, and Mrs. Shirin Al Shobaki, Coordinator of the Training and Mass Communication Unit at Al Mezan, thanked the participants for their commitment and performance during the training, and handed out certificates.

Mr. Younis talked about the current situation in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) and pointed out the importance of enhancing awareness in human rights principles and standards; particularly as Palestinians are now living under a brutal occupations and an internal political split. Mr. Younis highlighted the fundamental role lawyers can play in making justice prevail, which requires developed skills and a firm understanding of the questions of law and human rights.

Mrs. Shobaki thanked the participants for their commitment and efforts to make the course a success. She expressed her hope that the course met their expectations, adding to both their practical and theoretical knowledge.

Mrs. Shobaki emphasized the importance of keeping in touch with Al Mezan. She said that Al Mezan would always welcome future cooperation with all participants in this course as well as other courses implemented by Al Mezan.

It’s worth mentioning that the course was held at Roots restaurant in Gaza City. The course is part of Al Mezan’s core program activities implemented in cooperation with Diakonia with an aim to promote human rights principles and international humanitarian law.