On Monday, 19 April 2010, Al Dameer Association for Human Rights in cooperation with PNGO network organized a press conference at its office in Gaza and announced the beginning of the awareness campaign. It was entitled “the Right Of Charitable Associations and Local Bodies is a Constitutional Right” and it is going to be organized in the context of implementing the activities of the project funded by the European Union that contribute to the Respect, Protection, and Promotion of the Rights of Freedom of Association in the Gaza Strip.
Mr. Samer Mousa, project’s coordinator presented the importance and the objectives of this campaign. It seeks to achieve respect, protection, and promotion of the rights of freedom of association in the Gaza Strip by highlighting the right of associations’ situation and raising public awareness by implementing activities that target the activators in the civil work. That was in addition to publishing a number of international and national legislations that include this right.
Mr. Younis Al Jaro, Vice chairperson of the Al Dameer’s Board, talked about the role of charitable and civil institutions in promoting the Palestinian Citizens’ support and enhancing the concept of the rule of law. He added that the work of charitable and civil institutions is linked with availability of adequate environment and conditions, and the non-involvement in the internal conflict. Mr. Al Jaro considered this campaign as a significant step towards promoting the right to associations.
Mr.Mohsen Abu Ramdan, Head of PNGO network Board in the Gaza Strip, expressed his satisfaction with the campaign and with the project in general. He assured on the importance of this project that comes in the light of the occupation and internal Palestinian division. He assured on the importance of this kind of awareness campaigns that can serve in promoting the culture of protecting the right of associations, which is considered as a constitutional right on the local and international levels.
During the press conference, Mr. Samer Mousa, project's coordinator, announced the activities that are going to be implemented during the campaign in details. He mentioned that the campaign will lasts for four consecutive days between 19 and 22 April 2010. The campaign’s activities will include a 12 hours training course that targets 30 lawyers, who are interested in the right of Associations. Also, two radio episodes will be conducted at Al Quds Voice The radio episodes will discuss the legal protection means for the right of associations and the obstacles that face their work. Moreover, 1500 copies of the charitable associations and local bodies’ law no. 1/2000 will be distributed and published. Also, the regulations of that law and a brochure on the most important legal rules related to the work of civil institutions in accordance to Palestinian National Law will be distributed and published.
