Judicial Discretion in Palestine, Jordan, Morocco, Iraq and Algeria
Held on Wednesday, 5 December 2012, the workshop brought together court representatives from five Arab countries, including Palestine.
The workshop included a presentation and review of a research paper on components of Arab judicial experience in the field of human rights. Participants discussed the best means to benefit from this input in both human rights teaching and judicial activity. Members on the Palestinian National Team, who developed the Palestinian component of the research paper, took part in the workshop. Members of the Team included Justice Fateen Seif, Head of Public Prosecution Ahmed Hannoun, and legal researcher Tareq Atiyyah. A number of human rights instructors from across Palestinian universities, IoL researchers, trainee judges, and representatives of human rights organisations and Palestinian Bar Association also took part in the workshop.
In the opening ceremony, Mr. Jamil Salem, IoL Director, welcomed honourable guests and expressed his trust and confidence that constructive cooperation would continue between the IoL and AAHRN partners. Mr. Salem commended and appreciated efforts of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI), which seeks to bridge the gap between legal education, training, and judicial practice. In the Palestinian context, RWI works towards consolidating respect for human rights in Palestinian legislation and practice. Mr. Salem explained that the workshop “is consistent with IoL’s mission of disseminating knowledge and expertise of human rights culture.”
Justice Asad Mubarak, PJI Director, reiterated his thanks to the IoL and RWI for their extensive support of the PJI. Having explained objectives of the workshop, Justice Mubarak urged participants to promote the event with valued discussion. “The workshop is designed to scale up the Palestinian practice in legal education and judicial activity.” Justice Mubarak concluded.
Mrs. Hanna Johnsson, Programme Officer, MENA Region at RWI Amman Office, made a briefing note about the workshop. She expressed RWI’s thanks to the IoL, RWI, Palestinian National Team and all participants, wishing them all success. The Palestinian National Team made a presentation on the Palestinian components of the research paper. Various means to benefit from this study were discussed thoroughly by the PJI as well as by representatives of participating educational institutions and civil society organisations.
Dr. Mustafa Mar’i, Professor of Law and Senior Researcher at the IoL, summed up conclusions of the workshop. Partners were invited to meet over the upcoming weeks and examine follow-up steps to strengthen partnership between Palestinian educational institutions and human rights organisations. Reminding participants of objectives of the workshop, Dr. Mar’i stated that partner institution should contribute to the long-term effort of integrating human rights standards into the Palestinian culture and practice. In this vein, Palestinians will benefit from experiences of other nations, particularly in the Arab region, and develop a comprehensive, in-depth understanding of human rights. As an inherent element to human dignity, human rights reflect individuals’ humanity and are a fundamental requirement that transcends literal text to all aspects of our lives.
Launched in April 2010, the AAHRN aims to strengthen the capacity of academic institutions to perform academic education and research on human rights. Crowning ongoing cooperation with AAHRN members, the IoL formally joined the Network in December 2011. The stated mission of the AAHRN is to strengthen the capacity of academic institutions in formulating and disseminating knowledge on human rights topics, responding to the reality and needs of society, with the main objectives to:
• Strengthen the institutional capacity of academic institutions to plan, design, organise and implement teaching and research in human rights;
• Encourage exchange and dialogue between academic institutions; and
• Strengthen the resource base of human rights materials in Arabic
To view and interact with AAHRN news, activities and members, please visit:
http://aahrn.net/en
