WCLAC contributes to the upcoming universal periodical review for Israel – This year, WCLAC contributed to the Human Right’s Council’s Universal Periodical Review for Israel by submitting a report on the situation in Israel/ Palestine regarding the treatment of Palestinian women, and presence of gender based violence. WCLAC put forth recommendations to Israel to identify specific issues which are having the largest and most detrimental effect on women.

WCLAC’s director, Ms.Randa Siniora, participates in special side-event on Violence Against Women: The Case of Palestinian Women Under Occupation – During the 35th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva this month, WCLAC’s director co-organised and participated in a special side-event which brought together women’s rights advocates to address and discuss the aspects of occupation which have a detrimental effect on Palestinian women. Advocates analysed how occupational violence is intertwined into gender based violence in Palestinian society and family.

In 2016 UN Resolutions promote the rights of Palestinian women and people: WCLAC contently welcomed the achievements made at the international level in 2016 to promote Palestinian women's and people’s rights. The approved UN resolution on the "Situation of and assistance to Palestinian women" provided deeper insights on the field reality while calling for occupying power's accountability.

Palestinians commemorate Palestinian Prisoners’ Day – On 17 April 2016 Palestinians commemorated Palestinian Prisoners’ Day. Latest prison statistics, issued on 29 February 2016, show a total of 6204 Palestinian political prisoners have been held in Israeli detention facilities. Among them were 39 female prisoners and 12 girls all of whom were held in prisons inside Israel in violation of Article 76 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. It is estimated that between 750,000 and 800,000 Palestinian men, women and children have been detained by Israel since 1967.

The Palestinian Human Rights Organisations Council (PHROC) is gravely concerned with ongoing attacks against Al-Haq, in particular the death threats targeting its employees, including its General Director, Mr.
Shawan Jabarin, by external and organised sources. PHROC stands in solidarity with Al-Haq along with other Palestinian human rights organisations confronting the Israeli occupation by promoting the rule of law as a means to attain freedom and the right to self-determination for the Palestinian people.