On Thursday, 22 September 2016, at Roots Restaurant in Gaza City, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights (Al Mezan) held 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 was conducted over a period of six months. It is an annual activity organized by Al Mezan aiming to strengthen the technical, legal skills of lawyers in Gaza with a focus on Palestinian law, international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The course is comprised of 150 theoretical training hours and 25 practical hours including visits to human rights organizations and rehabilitation centers. This course was organized for the fourteenth consecutive year, with 36 graduating lawyers in 2016.

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 during the closing ceremony.  Mrs. Al Shobaki expressed her hope that the course met the expectations of the participants and added 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 the participants.

Mr. Younis talked about the current situation in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) in legal terms and pointed toward the importance of enhancing understanding of international legal principles and standards, particularly concerning the continuing brutal occupation of Palestine and the Palestinian internal political split. Mr. Younis highlighted the fundamental role that lawyers must play in making sure that justice prevails; the role requires developed legal skills in international law and a firm understanding of human rights principles and standards.

The course is part of Al Mezan’s core program activities and aims to promote the principles and standards of human rights and international humanitarian law.