The Dynamic Human Rights Unit (DHRU)

Project Overview

Because it is only human to have rights!

Every day, human rights violations occur in Palestine. These violations are related to the occupation, but also arise within Palestinian society and within the family.  The right to education, the right to housing, the right to be protected from violence and the children's right to play are only some examples of rights that are violated on a daily basis.

Specific Objectives

The main objective of the DHRU is to contribute to the exercise of human rights for youth in Palestine, and refugee youth in particular. The first step towards this objective is to inform youth about their rights. In fact, the underlying concept of the DHRU is that if you don’t know your rights, you can not claim them and enjoy them fully. In keeping with this idea, a series of training workshops have been held in 26 refugee camps to raise awareness on human rights and human rights violations in Palestine. Also, youth organizations receive assistance to integrate a human rights' perspective into their projects and refugee camp residents receive information through house visits.

The Dynamic Human Rights Unit is located at the head offices in Ramallah and Gaza City and will be a resource point for youth and youth organizations, providing them with legal assistance and advice. Additionally the DHRU, with the input of volunteers, will promote youth-favorable policies within Palestinian public institutions.

Activities Implemented

The DHRU was launched in March 2007 and implemented the following activities:

- Needs assessment: (link to needs assessments of refugee camps) 595 refugee youth from 25 refugee camps in West Bank (WB) and Gaza Strip (GS) participated in a needs assessment through focus group discussions and a survey

- Capacity building: WB and GS staff received a total of 60 training hours on various topics, such as: vulnerable group’s protection, international human rights treaties and Palestinian legislation, and international humanitarian law

- Training of Trainers (ToT): 125 youth volunteers from 13 different governorates in the WB and GS received 18 hours training on human rights education in 5 different locations

- Interactive training workshops in 26 refugee camps, where most of the trainers and all of the participants were (refugee) youth

-Awareness raising through house visits in 26 refugee camps 

- Training material:  training manual developed (click here for a table of contents) educational game ‘Human Rights Race”

-Publications: introductory leaflet and informational brochure produced, (click here to view publications) more publications to be produced in the coming months

-Networking: network created of 15 youth NGOs in Palestine and membership obtained of existing international youth and human rights networks

-Legal monitoring and advocacy: legal database developed, (click here to access the data-base), recommendations directed to Ministry of Youth and Sports and Ministry of Labor (click here to read the recommendations)

-Legal aid: individual cases and support to youth organizations

Local Partners

·     West Bank Partner CBOs

·     GAZA Partner CBOs

·     DHRU Network Partners

Locations

West Bank districts and refugee camps:

o        Ramallah Governorate: Deir Ammar, Al Amari, Jalazoun and Qalandia refugee camps

o        Jenin Governorate: Jenin refugee camp

o        Nablus Governorate: Camp No. 1, Askar and Balata refugee camps

o        Jerusalem Governorate : Shu'fat refugee camp

o        Hebron Governorate: Arroub and Fawar refugee camps

o        Tulkarem Governorate: Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps

o        Tubas Governorate: Far'a refugee camp

o        Jericho Governorate : Ein Sultan refugee camp

o        Bethlehem Governorate: Aida, Dheisheh and Beit Jibrin (Al- Azzah) refugee camps

Gaza Strip districts and refugee camps:

• Northern Governorate: Jabaliah refugee camp
• Gaza Governorate: Ash Shati refugee camp
• Middle Governorate: Nusseirat, Bureij, Deir Al Balah and Al-Maghazi refugee camps
• Khan Younis Governorate: Khan Younis refugee camp

Southern Governorate: Rafah refugee camp

National and International Networks

-The Palestinian Youth Network: www.pal-youth.org

-The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, Workgroup human rights education: www.euromedrights.net

Success Stories

Yasmeen, 19, Al Doha, Bethlehem

"Yasmeen is studying for a BA degree in Economics at Al Quds University. She is one of the active DHRU volunteers in "Watan" institution in Al Doha village, where 90% of the inhabitants have a refugee status.  She attended a training course held by the DHRU and now she is in charge of educating a group of youth aged between 15-18 years. As a result Yasmeen organized 4 workshops to raise awareness on human rights topics. Yasmeen had received training on this topic but she faced difficulties at the beginning, because it was her first experience as a trainer in the field. However, after breaking the ice with the participants and after overcoming her shyness of public speaking, she managed to create a suitable and comfortable atmosphere in the group, which made the workshops enjoyable and successful.

Yasmeen confirms that the Palestinian society is in need of these kinds of interactive trainings in the area of human rights".

Sahar, 15, Balata refugee camp, Nablus

“My name is Sahar, I am 15 years old and I live in the Balata refugee camp in Nablus. I am currently in the 8^th grade of the UNRWA Balata Girls School. I heard about the DHRU project through the Yafa Cultural Centre in my camp.  They asked me if I was interested in participating in a series of workshops on human rights. I didn’t really know what to expect because I know very little about this subject as we don’t learn these things at school. The trainers of the workshops were two volunteers from the camp, while the other participants included about 20 girls of my age.  It was a very positive experience for me and I especially liked the board game we played (the Human Rights Race).  During one of the workshops, we produced a short drama about a disabled girl which really helped me to relate to her situation.  In general, I learned about different kinds of human rights and that these rights are for everybody.  All in all I feel I still have a lot to learn and I am hoping that Sharek will organize more of these workshops.’’

Dua' Ali Mousa, 20, Askar refugee camp, Nablus

"I am Dua' Khader Mousa from Askar camp in Nablus. I study Business administration in Al Quds open-university and I work for the DHRU as a volunteer. I was trained at the Sharek centre in Nablus. The main topic of the training was human rights education and I found the information very interesting. As a result, I decided to train a group of youth aged between 15-18 years on the basic concepts of human rights. In the beginning though I did face some difficulties in coordinating the activities with the local organization. However, it was decided to proceed with the activities, which in the end were very successful. This positive result gives me confidence and a feeling of success and satisfaction. In addition, this has encouraged me to get involved as a volunteer both in Sharek and other organizations."

How can you participate?

You can get involved by volunteering for the DHRU in its centers around the West Bank and Gaza Strip. (fill out the application form here) If you are a youth organization and interested in working together on human rights, then we would be delighted to have you join our DHRU network.

Contact us

• Ramallah –Al Tireh street; tel. 02 – 296 7741; e-mail dhru@sharek.ps
• Gaza City – Al Rimal; Alyarmouk Street; telefax 08 – 283 0511; e-mail dhru@sharek.ps

 << Go Back