Concept and Applications of Human Dignity
On Saturday, 8 November 2008, and in cooperation with the Palestinian Bar Association (BA), the Initiative on Judicial Independence and Human Dignity (KARAMAH) at the Institute of Law (IoL), Birzeit University organised a seminar on the inclusion of human dignity concepts in legal applications and pleas in the city of Jenin. The seminar brought together BA representatives; BA subcommittee in the governorate of Jenin; a large number of lawyers with longstanding legal expertise; as well as KARAMAH representatives.
In his opening remarks, Lawyer Ghassan Dababneh, BA Board member, welcomed participants and confirmed that the BA seeks to adopt the concept of human dignity in the applications and please submitted by lawyers before courts. To do so, lawyers should enjoy due human dignity. On the other hand, the Israeli occupation gravely violates the human dignity of Palestinian citizens.
Addressing concepts of the rule of law and human dignity, Lawyer Saleh Abu 'Eideh, BA Board member, asserted that a current, expedient priority is to establish and consolidate the rule of law in the Palestinian society. The Law on the Regulation of the Legal Profession implicitly elaborates on the concept of the rule of law. To this avail, a lawyer may not combine practice of the legal profession with any other functions because it will deprive them of their due independence. Mr. Abu 'Eideh concluded that human dignity will consolidate pillars of the future Palestinian State.
Dr. Mustafa Abul Baqi, Head of KARAMAH research team, made clear the objective of the seminar. Explaining individual and collective aspects of the human dignity concept, Dr. Abdul Baqi traced historical development of the concept. Describing the human dignity concept in the International Humanitarian Law, he also drew examples on relevant international declarations and conventions as well as local constitutions. In addition, Dr. Abdul Baqi explicated how concepts of human dignity and human rights can be employed in lawyers' applications and pleas before the judiciary.
In the ensuing discussion, participant lawyers and speakers concluded that concepts of human dignity should be promoted in order to ultimately maintain citizens' dignity. Also, lawyers need be involved in training seminars so that they can acquire respective skills and experience.
It should be noted that this is the first of a series of encounters held jointly by the Palestinian Bar Association, including relevant Governorate Subcommittees, and the Initiative on Judicial Independence and Human Dignity (KARAMAH) at the Institute of Law, Birzeit University. KARAMAH is a project implemented in partnership with the Faculty of Law at Windsor University in Canada. It also benefits from financial support provided through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
