Status of Human Rights in Palestine
The tripartite committee constituting of the Presidency, the Prime Minister,
and ICHR, which was formed in 2016 to follow up the recommendations
set out in ICHR’s reports, is still stalled despite the repeated ICHR’s
communications to activate its operations.
In the course of our work with the multiple security agencies, we observed
continuous cooperation to facilitate ICHR’s visits to the detention and
arrest centers. Further, the security agencies responded to the majority of
ICHR’s communications and continue participating in ICHR’s activities
and trainings. Additionally, the security agencies took some disciplinary
measures against their members who committed violations.
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In 2017, ICHR Board of Commissioners was expanded with the exit of 7
commissioners who ended their membership term. The new commissioners
were admitted using a transparent process where representatives of human
rights and civil society organizations, in addition to former general
commissioners took part. Seven new commissioners joined the Board of
Commissioners, bringing the total number of members to 21.
ICHR concluded some agreements with related institutions and authorities
toward integration and institutionalization of the joint action. At the
international level, ICHR signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU)
with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, with support of the Danish
Representative Office at the State of Palestine. Further, ICHR developed
joint cooperation with The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of
Armed Forces (DCAF) and the Danish Association for the Prevention of
Torture (APT) in line with establishing the national mechanism for the
prevention of torture after Palestine Acceding to the Optional Protocol to
the Convention against Torture (OPCAT).
On the local level, ICHR signed MoUs with the Syndicate of Palestinian
Journalists and the Media Development Centre at Birzeit University
toward joint cooperation in the areas of media and freedom of opinion
and expression, and to boost the abilities of media professionals in their
pursuits to follow up the human rights issues.
In conclusion, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude and thankfulness
to the Board of Commissioners for their commitment to advocate human
23rd Annual Report 1 January - 31 December 2017