On Monday 28 November 2011, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights began a training course entitled “Freedom of Expression and of the Press according to Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
” Twenty-six journalism students participated in the course, which was organised in cooperation with Palestine University and the Arab Union for Electronic Press in Cairo and was held at the Palestine University campus in Gaza City.
  Basem Abu Jrai, Al Mezan’s fieldworker in the Middle Gaza district, opened the workshop by welcoming the participants and thanking them for their commitment to the course.
Abu Jrai stated the aim of the workshop was to enhance and promote a culture of human rights by collaborating with this important and effective sector of society.
He emphasised the importance of protecting freedom of opinion and expression and hoped that the course would achieve its aim to raise the awareness of journalists of human rights and IHL.
  He then reviewed the training schedule with the participants and expressed his hope that the newly acquired knowledge would help the participants discuss human rights issues effectively.
    The course comprises 18 hours of material to be presented over three days and will introduce participants to: the historical and legal framework of IHL and international human rights law (IHRL); the content of IHL and IHRL; an introduction to the basic principles of IHL, including the protection of journalists under IHL; the right to freedom of opinion and expression under Palestinian law; human rights violations and national and international protection mechanisms; freedom of opinion and expression under the international human rights covenants; and the role of media in promoting human rights, democracy and national peace.
  Abu Jrai delivered the first session, an introduction to human rights.
In this session, he discussed the concept of human rights, the historical development of human rights, and the International Bill of Human Rights (the two main human rights covenants).
Dr.
Tareq Ad-Derawi then delivered the second session,  an introduction to IHL.
  The workshop ends on Wednesday, 30 November 2011.
  Ends