The Birzeit University Human Rights Action Project was founded in 1977 by a group of faculty who were concerned by the growing human rights violations against Birzeit University students and staff by the Israeli military authorities. Working on a volunteer basis, these faculty members accompanied students who were summoned by the military authorities, attended military courts where students or staff were on trial, attempted to secure legal representation for detained students and staff, and began to alert the international community about violations against the university community and the university itself.
By 1980, with the cooperation of various departments of the university, the project acquired a full-time staff member in charge of seeking legal assistance and documenting violations. Until today, this position has been filled by an international volunteer who is aided by the staff of the Public Relations Office and student volunteers.
Since its founding, the Human Rights Action Project (HRAP) has followed the case of every student and staff member detained by the Israeli military authorities, as well as cases of restriction orders, house raids, deportation, and denial of freedom of movement and travel as it relates to university and academic activities. It also documents violations against the university itself, including army raids, closures, restrictions, and discrimination.
In addition, HRAP publishes a semesterly newsletter the Birzeit Human Rights Record, as well as other documents on an occasional basis, and sponsors several international campaigns. All can be found in the Birzeit Human Rights Archive.
A committee of four university staff member, appointed by the University President, runs the Human Rights Action Project today. The committee includes the Dean of Students Affairs, Director of Public Relations, Director of the Law Center, and a member of the Women’s Studies Program. Committee members take responsibility for oversight of the project, and provide important guidance.
Case and campaign management is provided by an international project worker provided by the United Nations Association--International Service, a British charity. The project worker takes responsibility for day-to-day management of HRAP, as well as preparing publications, researching new directions, and liaising with local and international human rights organizations. In addition, the project occasionally has part-time research assistants who help with various projects.
Since 1993 HRAP has contracted with Palestinian lawyer Elia Theodory to provide legal services and legal representation to Birzeit students and staff. Theodory, originally from Jerusalem, has been practicing law in Ramallah since 1990. Theodory’s responsibilities to the project include visiting detainees, especially those detainees under interrogation, representing Birzeit members at all court sessions, and working with HRAP to intervene in cases of torture or other breaches of human rights.
The Public Relations Office at Birzeit University houses HRAP and provides essential support for the project’s work. Students and staff can easily access the project to report violations or detentions, inquire after colleagues, or, during certain hours, to visit the lawyer.
The Human Rights Action Project relies on the support and work of friends of the university all over the world. We are always eager to have the involvement of the widest community possible. HRAP periodically issues Press Releases, launches new Campaigns or issues special Action Alerts. If you are ever in Palestine and visit Birzeit, stop in for a visit. It is always nice to see the people who have joined in the work of HRAP.