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OHCHR has been present in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT) since 1996, when, at the request of the Palestinian Authority, it began a two-year technical cooperation project, implemented through the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation of the Palestinian Authority (PA). The project was considered an integral part of the programme of assistance, reconstruction, and development of the Palestinian territories, implemented in light of the Oslo Peace Accords, in cooperation with Palestinian partners, United Nations agencies, and donor countries.
The office's initial work with the PA mainly dealt with the integration of international human rights standards into legislative processes and human rights training for law enforcement agencies. The project initially focused on Gaza , where the OHCHR office was established. Subsequent projects were developed and expanded in consultation with the beneficiaries and partners. To support this expansion, a second office was opened in Ramallah, West Bank, in 2000. Since then, OHCHR Palestine has invested in developing its Palestinian partnerships to ensure that its initiatives are in line with Palestinian needs and priorities, and are geared towards sustainability.
Over the years, the office has prioritized support for the administration of justice and rule of law, in line with the PA's own reform programme. It has developed cooperation with the National Human Rights Institution (Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens' Rights - PICCR) in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip; human rights education in both the formal and informal sectors have also remained priority areas. More recently, OHCHR Palestine has placed particular emphasis on its work with civil society, particularly with human rights and women's non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and contributing to mainstreaming human rights in partnership with UN agencies.
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The main objective of OHCHR Palestine for 2006-2007 is to implement the High Commissioner's Plan of Action and Strategic Management Plan (2006-2007) and the priorities they embody, within the OPT. Strengthening and activating mechanisms and capacities for the enhanced protection and promotion of human rights therefore builds on and develops the office's previously established partnerships and project activities.
In line with this over-arching objective, OHCHR Palestine aims to strengthen the relationship and inter-action between Palestinian civil society and UN human rights mechanisms. To this end, a major effort will be conducted to respond to local needs, and to provide information, advice, and training on Special Procedures and Treaty Bodies. OHCHR Palestine will endeavour to ensure NGOs are kept up to date with key human rights developments at the global, regional, and national levels, including the newly-created Human Rights Council and other human rights reforms, and how they impact on their work. In addition, OHCHR Palestine will host briefings and consultations with civil society to prepare for visits by visiting human rights experts, to facilitate coordination and input, and ensure follow-up to disseminate experts' reports and recommendations. Through this support, OHCHR Palestine hopes to support civil society groups to better interact with UN human rights mechanisms and enhance their advocacy strategies addressing human rights issues, including gender mainstreaming. Given the restrictions on freedom of movement affecting Palestinians in the West Bank , special efforts will be made to develop outreach programmes and activities for NGOs in different geographical locations, who would otherwise be unable to access activities based in Ramallah.
In a complementary activity, and in partnership with UNDP, OHCHR Palestine will assist and support nine NGOs in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, selected for ACT (Assisting Communities Together) grants, in their human rights activities. Among the key criteria for selection in this instance will be that the activities relate to human rights education by grass-roots, community-based organizations, and special attention will be paid to those in remote areas of the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
The PICCR is a key partner in strengthening human rights protection and promotion, and OHCHR Palestine will continue to work closely with PICCR in Ramallah and Gaza , organizing joint activities and supporting their endeavours to monitor and document human rights violations.
Joint training activities aimed at reinforcing the Judiciary, Prosecution, and Police constitute an important framework to reinforce accountability and will serve as an essential safeguard in the prevailing volatile situation in the OPT.
Strengthening partnerships with UN agencies in the OPT, which is a key priority for OHCHR Palestine, seeks to encourage human rights mainstreaming across UNCT planning and activities, and support the integration of human rights perspectives into humanitarian and development work, which will reflect on national plans and priorities. In particular, OHCHR Palestine will contribute to strengthening the rights-based approach through the Needs Assessment Framework (NAF), and Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP). OHCHR Palestine will also continue to host regular meetings of the Inter-Agency Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) established in April 2005. As decided by the HRWG in its priorities for the planning period, OHCHR Palestine will host familiarization sessions for UN colleagues on Special Procedures, Treaty Bodies and the Rights-Based Approach. Joint activities with UN Agencies to promote human rights awareness will also be planned during this planning period.
OHCHR Palestine will continue to assist in implementing the World Programme on Human Rights Education in the OPT, in accordance with an agreement with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, concluded in August 2005. Initial activities will include preparatory steps, including an independent assessment, supported by UNESCO, of previous human rights education experience, leading eventually to the drafting of a National Plan for Human Rights Education, involving civil society groups with expertise in human rights and civic education, in a participatory approach.
During the 2006/2007 period, OHCHR Palestine will continue to monitor human rights developments and trends and to complement the efforts of sister UN Agencies and the NGO community.
The highly volatile situation in the OPT remains a major hindrance in planning and may cause setbacks or delays in the implementation of set objectives and activities by OHCHR Palestine. The situation and its potential impact on delivery of the project activities will therefore be subject to regular review, with periodic briefings submitted to Headquarters. Where necessary, OHCHR Palestine will adjust the existing project in the most appropriate manner possible, in consultation with Headquarters, taking fully into account the prevailing OPT situation.
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