Reports updated Sep 12

Press Releases updated October 8

About LAW LAW is a Palestinian Human Rights organization based in Jerusalem. LAW was founded in 1990 by a group of Palestinian lawyers to promote human rights and further the principles of the rule of law, and to defend Palestinian rights in accordance with international human rights law and United Nations declarations. LAW seeks to protect human rights through an intensive program of documenting and following up abuses; and through providing legal and financial help to people in need. LAW issues various kinds of reports, studies and other publications. LAW works to ensure the right of defense for victims of human rights abuses through lawyers working in the Society, or accredited lawyers from outside the Society, working in both Israeli and Palestinian courts.

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LAW takes up test cases for submission to the Palestinian High Courts, with the aim of strengthening the rule of law and the independence of the judicial system, and to the Israeli High Court as part of its defense of Palestinian human rights. LAW represents prisoners and advocates their rights in accordance with international law; the Society's lawyers regularly visit prisoners in Palestinian and Israeli prisons and interrogation centers. LAW also documents the practice of torture and represents Palestinian prisoners being subjected to torture. LAW works to ensure and protect the housing rights of the Palestinian people by providing legal assistance in Israeli municipal courts and the Israeli High court.

Shawqi Issa, Vice General Director of LAW (c) Adam Hanieh 1997

LAW represents Palestinians in legal cases to do with the environment, on the basis that environmental rights are integral to human rights. LAW raises lawsuits in both Israeli and Palestinian courts against pollution and other environmental violations.

LAW organizes workshops and conferences on the subject of human rights abuses in the Israeli occupied territories and the Palestinian Autonomous areas, in order to raise human rights awareness and to strengthen community involvement against these abuses. The Society also issues a human rights journal, which seeks to participate in the building of a democratic civil society through bringing human rights issues to the attention of the Palestinian community.

LAW - The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment is an affiliate member of the Paris-based International Federation of Human Rights Leagues. It is also a member of the Network of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations (PNGO Network) and a member of the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW).