Dr. Samah Hamad Discusses Strengthening Cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on Palestine’s Commitments Under International Human Rights Treaties

Ramallah – Minister of Social Development and Relief, Dr. Samah Hamad, met Mr. Ajith Sunghai, Head of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Palestine, in the presence of the Ministry’s Undersecretary, several ministry officials, and Ms. Rafeef Mujahid, Human Rights Officer at OHCHR. The meeting focused on mechanisms to enhance cooperation between the two parties, particularly regarding Palestine’s reporting obligations to human rights treaty bodies, coordination for training ministry staff to strengthen their knowledge of human rights, and access to the National Recommendations Tracking Database (NRTD), which compiles recommendations issued to Palestine by human rights treaty bodies. The NRTD serves as a tool for states to track and follow up on recommendations from international human rights mechanisms.

Minister Hamad began the meeting by highlighting the government’s relief and recovery efforts, emphasizing that the government’s operations room in Gaza has made significant progress in coordination and decision-making mechanisms. She noted that the operations room includes key international organizations such as UNDP, OCHA, UNRWA, and the World Bank. Over the past six weeks, the operations room has engaged with approximately 35 international institutions, reflecting the growing importance of joint efforts in addressing the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

She explained that the government’s operations room is coordinating efforts to ensure humanitarian aid reaches the most affected populations, despite major challenges such as crossing closures, fuel shortages, and restrictions on the entry of heavy equipment needed for debris removal. She added that field teams have started organizing shelter centers, providing essential services, employing workers through "cash-for-work" programs, and updating the social registry of affected families to ensure that aid reaches those in need.

On the issue of protecting women in Gaza, Minister Hamad addressed reports from civil society organizations indicating that local authorities are no longer handling gender-based violence (GBV) cases, with full responsibility now placed on civil organizations. She affirmed that the Ministry is closely monitoring this issue to ensure an effective response to protect women and vulnerable groups, noting that Gaza has now begun implementing the same regulations in this regard as those applied in the West Bank.

During the meeting, Minister Hamad stressed the importance of Palestine’s submission of reports to human rights treaty bodies, emphasizing that this is a fundamental part of Palestine’s national and political responsibility. She underscored that these reports serve as a strategic tool to advance the Palestinian cause on international platforms and highlight violations committed against the Palestinian people. The minister explained that submitting these reports enhances Palestine’s position as an active member of the international community and plays a crucial role in documenting Israeli occupation violations, thereby supporting international efforts for justice and accountability. She also emphasized that Palestine’s commitment to reporting to human rights treaty bodies is vital for strengthening Palestinian human rights, as the government integrates treaty body recommendations into national policies, plans, and legislation.

The meeting also discussed the importance of establishing a training plan to reinforce human rights mechanisms within the Ministry of Social Development. Two training programs were proposed: the first targeting all employees in relevant ministry departments to strengthen human rights awareness, and the second aimed at preparing the national team for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) ahead of Palestine’s review by the CRPD Committee in August 2025. Additionally, training sessions for the ministry’s specialized internal team were discussed to enhance staff capacities and readiness for treaty discussions.

Regarding the government’s use and access to the National Recommendations Tracking Database (NRTD), Minister Hamad stated that the Ministry of Social Development was the first to utilize it. She noted that the national implementation plan for recommendations related to the Convention on the Rights of the Child has been uploaded electronically to the database, with the national child team trained on its use. The database is continuously updated by the ministry and other national team members. She emphasized the need for a specialized ministry to oversee the database to ensure its continuous operation and broader use at the national level.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Hamad reaffirmed the importance of sustained cooperation between the Ministry of Social Development and OHCHR. She stressed the need to accelerate access to the NRTD, implement training programs to promote human rights awareness within the ministry, and continue coordination efforts to support humanitarian relief and social protection initiatives in Gaza, contributing to the resilience of the Palestinian people amid ongoing challenges.