GCMHP Honors Raji Sourani for Electing him as a Member of the International
Commission of Jurists (ICJ) in Switzerland

The ceremony was attended by a number of attorneys, members of the judicial system and board members and staff in both GCMHP and PCHR, along with a group of journalists and human rights activists in Gaza Strip.

Mr. Husam El-Nounou, Director of Public Relations Department of GCMHP, commenced the ceremony by welcoming the guests and expressing congratulations of GCMHP to Mr. Sourani for his new appointment, stressing the key position he obtained. Mr. El-Nounou added that such honoring is recognition for the Palestinian human rights movement, of which Mr. Sourani and PCHR are significant symbols. Mr. El-Nounou also highlighted the high professionalism of Mr. Sourani and PCHR and the significant impact they have at the local and international levels in the field of Palestinian human rights.

Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj, GCMHP's Director-General, delivered a speech in which he expressed his deep appreciation for the election of Mr. Sourani to such a prestigious position, asserting that he now holds a badge of international recognition of high credibility and professionalism to him and the institution he belongs to. Dr. El-Sarraj also praised the professionalism and credibility of Mr. Sourani, and considered his election a success to the Palestinian civil society organizations – which he described as one of the most important components of the Palestinian society.

The Director General also commended PCHR for its achievements, which have left a distinct mark on the Palestinian human rights movement, noting the international reputation of the Center, achieved only by the cooperation and collaboration of the staff and management over years of hard work.

At the end of his speech, Dr. El-Sarraj congratulated Mr. Sourani on his new position, and described him as an ambassador for PCHR and the entire Palestinian people to the ICJ, asserting that he is proud to honor Mr. Sourani on behalf of GCMHP, and wished for more generations to emerge and defend the human rights issues of the Palestinian people, which are considered one of the most successful means of exposing the Israeli violations against the Palestinian people.

On his part, Mr. Sourani gave a speech in which he thanked GCMHP and Dr. El-Sarraj for this honoring, expressing his pride in the great achievements of the Programme in the field of defending and promoting human rights. He also mentioned that his election to this position will add to his responsibility in representing Palestine and its just cause.

Mr. Sourani also expressed gratitude that a civil society organization honors another one, which he considered a good gesture that should be modeled and promoted among other organizations as a sign of cooperation and complementation to support the just cause of the Palestinian people. He added that he is happy to be honored in his country among his people.

Then, Dr. Riyadh Al-Zaanoun, the Chairman of GCMHP's Board of Directors, presented Mr. Sourani with the emblem of appreciation and admiration from the Programme, followed by Mr. El-Nounou thanking the guests for attending the ceremony, wishing Mr. Sourani and PCHR further progress and success in defending and promoting the just cause of the Palestinian people.

Gaza Community Mental Health Programme