Best Places To Take A Human Rights Programme In The Middle East: Many young aspirants who want a career in human rights look to the Middle East as a potential source of work. Due to the ongoing security issues across the region, human rights is always an issue that is at the top of the agenda, and there are many humanitarian organisations and others looking to make a big impact in this field and help those who are most vulnerable to abuses of human rights. In this article, we will explore some of the best places to take a human rights programme in the Middle East.
Taking a human rights programme in Jordan
Jordan is a particularly interesting place to take a human rights programme. The country is relatively stable and has recently seen a big influx due to the conflict in Syria as ongoing troubles in Palestine. As a volunteer, therefore, it can be a really good place to volunteer and create a big impact, without spending too much money. Many organisations operate out of Amman and your first point of call should be considering programmes based there in the capital.
Taking a human rights programme in Lebanon
Lebanon too is a very rewarding place to take a human rights programme owing to the complex and unique Lebanese history which marries various different sects together in a complicated political situation. This is a difficult system to maintain and it’s inevitable there will be inter-sect politicking. This in conjunction with the influx of refugees into Lebanon, sees a similar situation where there are many people who need help in Lebanon, and many organisations operating to help them. However, one word of caution is that the cost of living can be quite high if you are intending to volunteer in Lebanon, particularly in the capital city of Beirut.
Taking a human rights programme in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is one of the area where (despite the political stability) there are ongoing low level human rights abuses. Organisations like NGOs would like to have a bigger impact in the country, but it is more difficult for these sort of groups to access Saudi Arabia and provide meaningful help. Some of the human rights problems are baked into the political and social systems and are therefore hard to ameliorate in a meaningful way at the moment.
Taking a human rights programme in other the Gulf States
The Gulf States equally have problems with their records on human rights, but they are perhaps a little more open access. There are some international organisations operating here, but probably not as many as in the Levantine region. The cost of living can also be quite extortionate in the Gulf States, so while it is possible to take a human rights programme in this area (particularly at one of the universities), it probably is not the most fulfilling area where you can take a programme in this field.
Taking a human rights programme in Palestine with the Excellence Center
The Excellence Center in Hebron (or Al Khalil as the locals call it) in the West Bank, Palestine, runs a human rights internship programme, which allows participants to come and gain first hand experience of human rights initiatives in the West Bank to counter the worst excesses of Occupation. The Israeli Occupation leads to all sorts of human rights abuses both large and small – particularly in the H2 part of the city where military law rules rather than civil law, resulting in a +99% conviction rate of cases involving Palestinian defendants, who are denied the due process they should be given under international law.
Both within the city and the surrounding countryside like Zousia, the Bedouin village under Israeli demolition order, and other villages in the South of the West Bank where electricity and water is carefully regulated by the Israelis, human rights abuses are rife. The Excellence Center provides an opportunity to meet activists, lawyers, judges and prominent individuals involved in human rights to provide a tangible insight into the problems (and sometimes solutions) of human rights here. The programme is very valuable for your CV as employers can see you have experience of this difficult situation and have actually worked to help counter it: the programme involves running human rights workshops to raise awareness for individuals of their rights and what they can do when these rights are violated.
Here is the list of the human rights programs in the city of Hebron, West Bank, Palestine
- Volunteer and Study Arabic in Palestine (1-12 weeks)
- Internship in Palestine Program (one to three months)
- Volunteer in Human Rights Program in Palestine
- Women’s Rights Program in Palestine
The Excellence Center assigns a liaison manager to oversee your progress and ensure you are having a worthwhile programme. They have the community links to ensure you meet the right people and you do everything you can (and are willing) to help the plight of those who are suffering abuses. Programme dates are flexible and can last from a week or two up to three months (which is the maximum amount of time allowed by the Israeli visa system for tourists). Your commitments are balanced with free time to explore the city of Hebron for yourself as well as all the other uniquely fascinating Holy Land sites in the West Bank. Programmes include accommodation, meals and Arabic tuition as a standard of course. For any more information at all, simply contact Rafat Shantir on the details below.
We look forward to receiving your application for the Excellence Center’s unique human rights internship programme at some point soon in the near future!
