Ref: 23/2006

Date: 18 June 2006  

PCHR Organizes a Conference on “The New Palestinian Government and the Human Rights Agenda”

PCHR will organize a conference on Wednesday and Thursday, 21 and 22 June 2006, titled “The New Palestinian Government and the Human Rights Agenda.”  The Palestinian Prime Minister, Mr. Ismail Haniya, will officially open the conference, delivering a speech on the Palestinian government’s view of human rights. 

The conference seeks to establish a framework for dialogue and exchange of viewpoints between representatives of the government and those of civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, on human rights issues.  The conference will consist of three major sections, each of which will focus on a number of issues related to Palestinian human rights to be discussed between civil society organizations and the government, hoping for adoption of specific and clear governmental policies with regard to outstanding issues, taking into consideration the demands of civil society organizations, including human rights organizations. The three sections will focus on: civil and political rights; economic, social and cultural rights; and the rights of women and groups. 

These issues will be addressed in five sessions, in which a number of prominent experts will submit relevant interventions and working papers.  Each session will be attended by a representative of the government.  The conference will be an opportunity to express the civil society’s views and explain the government’s view concerning outstanding issues.  The government will be represented in the conference by: Mr. Said Siam, Minister of Interior; Dr. Yousef Rizqa, Minister of Information; Eng. Aaa al-Aaraj, Minister of National Economy; Dr. Basem Naim, Minister of Health; and Dr. Ghazi Hamad, the spokesman of the government. 

At least 500 invitations have been sent to official figures, representatives of political factions, civil society activists, academics, jurists and media officials.  It is also expected that representatives of seven international organizations will attend the conference, including: Amnesty International; International Commission of Jurists; International Legal Assistance Consortium; and Human Rights Watch.