Family Court Laws and Procedures
The training activity targeted women’s rights activists and representatives of the women’s movement inside the Green Line. The Nisaa Wafaq (Women and Horizons) Organisation is based in the Kufr Qar’ city in the 1948 territory.
Organised over three days between late October and early November 2013, the training event addressed the inception, historical development, jurisdictions of family courts in Historic Palestine as well as the procedures applicable before these courts. The training elaborated on how family cases should be examined by Palestinian family courts and by family courts inside the Green Line. In this vein, discussants came up with several understandings and recommendations with a view to cope with pressing social problems associated with marriage and divorce, including relevant consequences. Participants also envisioned future perceptions and plans of cooperation and coordination to enhance settlement of family cases.
In conclusion of the workshop, His Eminence Sheikh Yousef Id’eis, Chairman of the High Council of Family Courts, expressed his thanks to the IoL for its relentless effort to promote justice administration and rule of law in Palestine. Of particular note, Sheikh Id’eis commended the IoL for the valuable contribution it has made to develop and improve the Palestinian family court system. He further articulated his hope that this and similar training initiatives be part of an integrated programme to be implemented jointly by the IoL and High Council of Family Courts to promote discussion of family court issues and personal status cases. This endeavour should be of use to all Palestinians.
Dr. Nayfah as Sarsi, Chairwoman of the Nisaa Wafaq (Women and Horizons) Organisation, thanked Sheikh Id’eis for the time and effort he invested in making the training activity a success as well as for his personal contribution to introducing and developing training themes. Dr. As Sarsi also extended her thanks to the IoL for taking the initiative to deliver this training exercise. “Not only does this training introduce vital topics, but it has also played a pivotal role in creating a channel of communication between Palestinians in spite of Israeli restrictions and policies.” Dr. As Sarsi concluded.
Dr. Jamil Salem, IoL Director, expressed his thanks and gratitude to Sheikh Id’eis for his ongoing cooperation with the IoL as well as to Dr. As Sarsi for her diligent coordination to organise the training event. Dr. Salem commended the committed participants from the 1948 territory, who made a valuable contribution to discussions of several family court issues and personal status laws, stressing that these “have a direct impact on Palestinians and their daily lives.” Dr. Salem emphasised the need for continued cooperation and coordination between government bodies, academic institutions and civil society actors. Current experiences should be consolidated through a concerted effort between various Palestinian agencies, including Palestinian organisations operating inside the Green Line.
This training seminar is an activity of the Constitution and Women: Promoting Access to Justice Project, which the IoL implements with support from the Representative office of Denmark to the Palestinian Authority. The project is designed to promote women’s access to justice by streamlining and providing access to information on personal status. It also casts light on laws and procedures applicable before Palestinian family courts.
