Leaders Organization hosted on Wednesday a European Union delegation headed by Mr. Sebastien Lorion, Focal point of the Thematic programs at Directorate A - Europe, Southern Mediterranean, Middle-East and Neighbourhood Policy at the headquarters in Brussels. The visit comes to follow the latest developments in projects funded by the European Commission in the Palestinian territories including "Lawyers for Citizens Rights" project that is being implemented by Leaders Organization in partnership with the Palestinian Bar Association through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights "EIDHR". The Project aims to develop the professional skills of a group of trainee lawyers to enable them to defend citizens' rights within the Palestinian territories.
Leaders Organization has already begun implementing the project "Lawyers for Citizens Rights" earlier this year with the participation of twenty-five lawyers from all regions of the West Bank. The project has included many activities such as developing the skills of the participants through a training program in leadership and defense of human rights, in addition to introducing the participating lawyers to the organizations working in the field of defending human and citizen's rights in Palestine through an integrated visits program to the human rights organizations that operate in the Palestinian territories.
Within the framework of the project, an advisory board consisting of 10 participating lawyers was formed with the aim of defending the rights of the citizens in the Palestinian territories. The advisory board members are currently preparing three legal reports on medical errors, the right to education, and domestic violence in the Palestinian territories. The three reports will be published later this year to enable the Palestinian society and human rights organizations to see the results.
During the meeting which brought together the European delegation members, Leaders staff members and the participants of the "Lawyers for Citizens Rights" Project, the EU delegation members were informed with the latest activities and programs of Leaders organization. Furthermore, the participating lawyers presented the preliminary findings and recommendations of their researches in addition to the challenges they faced during the preparation of the reports.
Mr. Sebastien Lorion Commented that "Lawyers for Citizens' Rights" Project is very valuable in promoting the motivation of young lawyers who will in turn be the best advocates for lobbying the enforcement of the rule of law in Palestine".
Mr. Shadi Atshan, the Executive Director of the Leaders Organization expressed Leaders Organization's deep appreciation for the European Commission's efforts in improving the human rights status in the Palestinian territories and the European Union's continuous empowerment for the young people in Palestine"
Finally, it is worth mentioning that "Lawyers for Citizens Rights" project comes within Leaders Organization's "Social and Political Leaders" Program which aims to develop the leadership skills of young people and acquaint them with the tools they can use in promoting and leading social and political change. It is also worth mentioning that the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights is a program of the European Commission that aims to promote democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms around the world. This program seeks to enable civil society to play an active role in political reform and defense of human rights.
For more information, please contact:
Name: Sophie Abu Soboh
Organization: Leaders Organization
Phone: 02-2970477
Mobile: 0598070811
E-mail: sophie@leaders.ps