Gaza \ ICHR organized a training course on "Human Rights and Combating Torture" targeting police officers and Heads of Directorates of the Police Agency.

The 25-hour training course which lasted for 5 days focused on different topics, including anti-torture mechanisms according to international conventions and national legislations; the principles of ethical and legal behavior of the law enforcement bodies; legal protection of children and women from torture, protection of detainees' rights to physical safety and prevention of torture according to the principles of the human rights-based approach.

By the end of the course, the participants shall have drafted a code of conduct on combating torture.

Brigadier. Taiseer al-Batsh, Police Chief in Gaza, Jameel Sarhan, Deputy Director General of ICHR's Gaza Strip's Office, Subhia Juma', Coordinator of the Complaints Unit, Ra'fat Salha, Directress of Gaza and North Office and Bahgat al-Hiliw, Coordinator of training and Awareness, attended the opening session of the training course.

Al-Batsh said that police detention centers are open for visits by human rights organizations and ICHR to enhance respect for the rule of law and citizens' rights. He asked the participants to commit themselves to the training course which is held in response to the training needs and action plan of the police agency. He explained that the police agency seeks to correct the unintentional mistakes committed by some of its personnel, confirming that protecting citizens' rights and property is a priority.

For his part, Mr. Sarhan described the police agency as a civil agency seeking to enforce the law in a way that guarantees respect for citizens' rights and best services. He said that it acts effectively and influentially to maintain security and stability without prejudice to rights and freedoms despite absence of necessary resources. He confirmed the seriousness of ICHR to develop the capacities and experiences of the personnel of the police agency to promote and protect human rights.