About Al-Haq                French    New
INTRODUCTION
Al-Haq, the West Bank affiliate of the Geneva-based The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), is a Palestinian human rights organization which was founded in 1979 by Palestinian lawyers concerned with the protection and promotion of the principles of human rights and the rule of law.
Al-Haq is an Arabic word meaning 'fairness', 'justice', 'law', and 'truth'. The organization's offices and library are located in the city of Ramallah, 18 kilometers north of Jerusalem. Al-Haq's core program includes the monitoring, documentation and investigation of human rights violations; research pertaining to the rule of law in occupied territories; the publication of studies on various aspects of the legal and human rights situation in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip; and an ongoing effort, through direct intervention and other means, to bring specific abuses to an end. The program includes research and other efforts aimed at finding and activating mechanisms for the enforcement of international law applicable in the Occupied Territories. Al-Haq also seeks to provide consultative and educational services to the Palestinian community concerning individual and collective rights in an effort to realize and protect these rights.
FIELDWORK
The backbone of al-Haq's work consists of the collection of accurate and reliable information about ongoing and systematic human rights abuses. This is carried out primarily by a team of professional fieldworkers who are assigned geographically throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip in order to investigate alleged violations soon after they occur.
Al-Haq fieldworkers gather information in a thorough and rigorous manner, excluding hearsay evidence in order to ensure the credibility of their evidence. The fieldwork programme makes use of a variety of forms of documentation to verify alleged violations. These include affidavits taken under oath, written reports and questionnaires, photographs, medical reports, and other supporting materials.
RESEARCH
The research program at al-Haq is designed to provide an accurate assessment of the legal status of Palestinians under Israeli occupation and the obligations imposed upon the military government by international law. Research projects are under taken with the specific purpose of promoting respect for the rule of law and human rights, and to challenge violations of internationally accepted norms where there is a pattern of abuses. Research forms the basis of al-Haq's interventions. After a consistent pattern of violations has been substantiated and properly documented by fieldwork, staff researchers analyse the data in the context of international and local law in order to further investigate the legality of a particular practice.
EDUCATION AND INFORMATION
Al-Haq seeks ways in which residents of the Occupied Territories can protect themselves through knowledge of their legal rights. In this context, the organization has written and distributed a series of "Know Your Rights" handbooks, which advise local residents on various issues in non-technical language. The topics addressed in these publications include the rights of detainees, the protection of land and other properties threatened by confiscation, and the rights of workers.
Al-Haq has also prepared a number of studies on the changes wrought by two decades of military legislation. These studies provide the local legal profession, and the public at large with the official texts of various military orders along with an interpretation and analysis of their legality under international law and practical repercussions. The organisation publishes the reports and occasional papers stemming from its research and fieldwork. Subjects covered by these reports include deportation, prison conditions, house demolitions, and other issues of concern.
LEGAL SERVICES
The Legal Services Programme at al-Haq provides local residents with the opportunity to discuss their legal problems with lawyers at no cost. Where the problem involves human rights abuse and does not require recourse to a court, al-Haq seeks redress for the community or individual in question by intervening directly with the appropriate authorities. If, however, our efforts meet with failure or it appears that recourse to the courts is the only option, the person is advised to consult a lawyer. Al-Haq does not represent individuals in court or cover their legal expenses. Violations which the organization has succcessfully dealt with through its legal advice programme include restrictions on travel, confiscation of identity cards, and with holding of licenses and other permits.
DATABASE
Fieldwork documentation and information collected from other sources are stored in a computerized database which is specifically designed to analyse trends and patterns in the human rights situation in the Occupied Territories. This, vital information is summarized from affidavits, questionnaires, newspaper clippings and other documents. Although designed for internal use, the database provides limited facilities to visitors and guest researchers upon requests.
LIBRARY
Al-Haq's library is the first public law library in the West Bank. It contains the texts of Jordanian and Israeli laws, Israeli military orders, and primary and secondary resources on international law and human rights. Al-haq also maintains a collection of Ottoman and Mandate laws on microfiche. Many of these materials are not available to the public elsewhere in the area. Additionally, the library has a collection of books on the Middle East and subscribes to over 130 journals and periodicals. Most of the library's collection is in Arabic and English. The library is used extensively by researchers and by the general public.
FUNDING
Al-Haq receives its financial support from more than 12 non-governmental foundations and organizations concerned with human rights and social justice. In addition, our work is supported by our associates and other individual contributers.
AL-HAQ ASSOCIATES
Al-Haq associates are individuals and organizations who share our goals and support our work. Associates are kept informed of recent activities through our quarterly Newsletter, published in both English and Arabic. Associates also receive our reports and occasional papers free of charge. Al-Haq invites you and\or your organization to support al-Haq by becoming an Associate subscriber.