Training workshop on “Strengthening the capacity of lawyers in dealing with freedom of expression issues”

 The Institute of Law at BZU and the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (Mada) held on 22 February 2011 a training workshop for a number of lawyers, aiming at strengthening their capacity in dealing with freedom of expression issues in general, and freedom of press in particular. The workshop was organized in cooperation with the Palestinian Bar Association within the framework of MADA Program to promote freedom of expression, funded by the UNESCO Office in Ramallah.

The workshop was opened by the Director of the Institute of Law, Dr. Ghassan Faramand, who emphasized the importance of enhancing the skills of lawyers in dealing with media issues, and the existence of legal departments in institutions that work in the field of freedom of media to support the work of those institutions in the legal aspect. Dr. Faramand pointed to the dearth of lawyers specializing in media issues, especially issues of freedom of opinion and expression in Palestine.

The project's coordinator at MADA Center, Mr. Ghasoub Alaa'ddin, stated that the Centre wishes that this workshop will be the cornerstone of specialized lawyers in issues of freedom of opinion and expression, especially in light of the escalation of Israeli violations in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The workshop's duration is three consecutive days to include (15) hours of training, in which (20) attorneys have participated. The trainers are a selective group of journalists, human rights activists and legal experts.