On the occasion of the International Day for Human Rights, Gaza Community Mental Health Programme in coordination with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights- Palestine, organized a workshop entitled "Towards a Palestinian Law against Torture", held in Gaza at Gaza International Hotel. The workshop was attended by over 40 lawyers, legal experts, and professionals in human rights and mental health.

Mr. Rafeeq Mussalm, a Legal Advisor at GCMHP, welcomed the audience and initiated the workshop session.

Ms. June Ray, Head of OHCHR in Palestine, delivered a speech highlighting the importance of the occasion emphasizing that the workshop is considered a huge contribution by GCMHP to the issue of combating torture in the Palestinian society.

Mr. Husam El-Nounou, Director of Public Relations Department of GCMHP, talked about this workshop as a crowning activity in GCMHP's path to fight torture and rehabilitate its victims over the last 15 years. He also stressed the fact that preventive and educational activities should go hand in hand with developing the Palestinian law against torture in the quest to create a culture that denounces torture.

Mr. Abdel Hamid El-Eila, a PLC legal advisor, made a presentation on a proposed Palestinian draft law giving explanation and analysis of all the chapters and articles highlighting the philosophy and rationale behind making the law.

After the presentation, about three hours discussion took place on the content and phrasing of the articles, where the participants came up with specific recommendations and suggestions.

At the end of the workshop, there was an agreement to make all these amendments and to be presented to a small group of the participants at a later date.

Gaza Community Mental Health Programme