Best Places To Do A Human Rights Program In The Middle East: Many people pursuing or aspiring to have a career in human rights take an interest in working in the Middle East. While there are many problems throughout the Middle East regarding human rights and human rights abuses, the Middle East often receives much more press coverage in Western media than other countries that commit even worse abuses. Part of this is due to racism and Orientalism, while another part is to rally public support for Western-led, endless wars in the Middle East.
The Middle East, in reality, is very different from what is often portrayed in the media. Volunteering, studying, working, or traveling throughout the Middle East will show anyone how diverse, culturally, and historically rich this region actually is. While there are several ongoing security issues throughout the Middle East, taking a human rights program here is sure to be a life-changing experience.
It can offer you the chance to engage with local communities as well as civil society and human rights organizations, and contribute to human rights initiatives and projects. It will also give you a much clearer picture of the human rights situation, including regarding history, the present, challenges, and possible solutions. Finally, it will allow you to make a meaningful impact on your own life as well as on any community you work with.
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Best Places To Do A Human Rights Program In The Middle East
Doing A Human Rights Program in Lebanon
Lebanon is an advantageous place to take a human rights program, owing to the complex and unique Lebanese history and diversified population that has seen sectarian strife, political unrest, and violations of human rights. This means there are many opportunities to learn about human rights in a complex socio-political context. Many civil society organizations do great work on human rights issues, and many rely on volunteers to continue their excellent work.
In addition, Lebanon has experienced an influx of refugees in recent decades, particularly from its neighbors, Palestine and Syria. Many refugees are still living in challenging circumstances in refugee camps and face issues such as discrimination and lack of access to jobs. This means there are many refugees in need of support, and several opportunities to volunteer to support them, whether economically, through education, through humanitarian aid, or in other ways.
While the cost of living, especially in the capital city of Beirut, has been relatively high for some time, Lebanon has been undergoing a severe financial crisis in addition to other crises for the last several years. The Lebanese currency has undergone a historic and horrific devaluation, which makes things much cheaper for outsiders with US dollars. Still, it has left many Lebanese locals unable to afford or access all the necessities.
Doing A Human Rights Program In The Gulf States
The Gulf States, including Saudi Arabia, were once among the world’s poorest and most underdeveloped countries, until the discovery of oil began in the 1930s. This has rapidly transformed them into some of the wealthiest countries in the world. In the past, many Gulf natives subsisted through herding or agriculture.
The Gulf too has many issues with its human rights records and has long been criticized, particularly by Western countries. However, due to racism and Orientalism, many people, particularly in the West, will condemn the Gulf’s human rights abuses but will not acknowledge or speak on their own country’s human rights abuses.
The primary human rights abuses in the Gulf are directed towards the millions of migrant workers. One key difference between other Gulf states and Saudi Arabia is that other countries in the Gulf are more accessible than Saudi Arabia for tourism as well as for human rights programs.
There are some international organizations and universities here that run human rights programs, but not as many as in the Levant (Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine). So, taking a human rights program in the Gulf region may not be as fulfilling or as budget-friendly as in other parts of the Middle East.
Doing A Human Rights Program In Saudi Arabia
Today, Saudi Arabia is politically stable and a safe country to visit in many regards. However, it has an ongoing track record of human rights abuses, which is often overlooked by many countries due to its being a US ally. However, it is essential to note that significant changes, including to laws and other progress, have been made in recent years.
It’s equally important to note that it is not only those within Saudi Arabia who are affected. A Saudi-led coalition has been waging war on neighboring Yemen since 2015. This has killed tens of thousands of Yemenis, wounding many more, and destroyed much infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and homes.
Additionally, the Saudi-led coalition has imposed a blockade on Yemen’s ports, making it extremely difficult for Yemen to import necessities such as food, medicine, and fuel. As a result, most Yemenis are in dire need of humanitarian aid, and about 80% are unable to provide food for themselves and their families.
Inside Saudi Arabia, women and the millions of migrant workers are typically the most affected by human rights abuses and are offered the least protection under the law. There are several issues, such as a lack of or limited freedom of expression, assembly, and association, that heavily impact a range of people across Saudi Arabia. Executions, including public beheadings, lengthy prison sentences, and torture, are also grave violations that occur too frequently.
While volunteering in a human rights program in Saudi Arabia would surely be very meaningful and impactful, it isn’t particularly easy or feasible. Saudi Arabia only opened itself up to international tourists in 2019; before that, there was no tourism industry (other than Muslim pilgrims taking part in Hajj or Umrah).
Additionally, it can be tough for NGOS or other international organizations to access and provide meaningful help inside Saudi Arabia. This also means it is usually challenging to find an available human rights volunteer program for you to join.
Doing A Human Rights Program In Jordan
Jordan can be an exciting place to take a human rights program and make a meaningful impact. Jordan is relatively stable, although it does face social, economic, and environmental issues. While there have been some issues inside Jordan regarding human rights and human rights abuses, the situation here is much better than in some other countries in the region.
Today, there is still significant poverty in Jordan, as well as a large refugee population predominantly from Palestine, Syria, and Iraq, many of whom are still living in challenging conditions in refugee camps. Suppose you are particularly interested in volunteering with refugees. In that case, Jordan can offer opportunities to do this and to learn more about the human rights situation in Jordan as it impacts refugees.
There are numerous organizations for human rights programs in Jordan, whether you wish to work with refugees or the local Jordanian community. Many of which operate out of the capital city, Amman, although it may be possible to find opportunities in smaller towns.
Human Rights Abuses In Palestine
The Israeli Occupation leads to all sorts of human rights abuses, both large and small. These occur particularly in the H2 part of Hebron city, where Palestinians are subjugated under Israeli military law, rather than civil law. One of the results of this is 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 Sousia, the Bedouin village under an Israeli demolition order, and other villages in the south of the West Bank, where the Israelis carefully regulate electricity and water, human rights abuses are rife.
In addition, the Israeli Occupation continues a procedure of human rights abuses from the former British Occupation of Palestine, called Administrative Detention. This means that Israel can arbitrarily arrest any Palestinian at any moment and imprison them without charge, trial, or evidence indefinitely, for up to six months at a time and on a renewable basis. Palestinian administrative detainees are left with little to no legal recourse and sometimes go on hunger strikes (that can last over 100 days) as their only means to achieve their freedom.
Do A Summer Human Rights Internship Program in Palestine
Suppose you’re looking for human rights programs in the Middle East, specifically in areas such as Palestine, or near Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, or Bethlehem, during the summer. In that case, we encourage you to join us in Hebron. We offer you the opportunity to spend your summer not only learning about human rights in Palestine, but also traveling, learning some Arabic, making new friends, and having a thoroughly enjoyable time.
You can choose whether you wish to participate in our short-term summer human rights program, which spans 1 to 13 weeks, and we offer starting dates throughout the summer. This is particularly ideal if you are a current student searching for a summer internship or volunteer program, and we can even provide you with academic credit towards your studies. Your program will also give you practical in-person experience and the chance to develop a range of essential skills, all of which will boost your CV.
Summer is our busiest time at Volunteer in Palestine; however, it isn’t only students who join us at this time. We host a diverse group of individuals from around the world, participating in a range of short-term internships, volunteer programs, and Arabic courses. This means you will have plenty of chances to meet new people from various backgrounds, make friends, and even travel together on your days off.
Here you can check out the available human rights programs that Volunteer in Palestine offers:
1. Volunteer with Palestinian Refugees
Volunteer with Palestinian Refugees: This program caters to undergraduate and graduate students, professionals, employees of human rights organizations, retirees, and anyone interested in engaging with the work concerning Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Palestine. Getting involved in refugee assistance presents an excellent opportunity for university students and recent graduates seeking to gain experience in the human rights field.
Through this project in the West Bank, volunteers will have the opportunity to work with Palestinian children, women, and youths to enhance each other’s skills, create mutual understanding, engage in language exchange, and make a difference in each other’s lives.
The Volunteer with Palestinian Refugees in the West Bank program is open to individuals between the ages of 18 and 70. People from all countries and majors are welcome to join this program. There are no specific degree requirements. All that is required is a willingness to participate and help.
2. The Palestinian Women’s Rights Program
The Palestinian Women’s Rights Program in the West Bank is a volunteer initiative that allows international visitors to visit Palestine and gain exclusive insight into women’s rights in the West Bank. Located in the vibrant city of Hebron, the project provides participants with many opportunities to meet Palestinian women, visit women’s rights organizations, and engage in educational and cultural activities.
Aimed at educating international participants about the current power dynamics of women in Palestinian society, you will get involved with volunteering with Palestinian women by promoting their rights and empowering them in all spheres of life, including the family, the workplace, and politics, all whilst ensuring they are safe from violence, exploitation, and discrimination.
Altogether, this volunteer program will enable you to gain awareness about gender equality in Hebron (one of the most conservative cities in Palestine) whilst also allowing you to study and practice Arabic, meet other internationals, and experience Palestinian daily life.
3. Palestinian Law and Legal Systems Internship
Palestinian Law and Legal Systems Internship: This legal internship program is ideal for students of law, the social sciences, and human rights, as well as for anyone interested in the Palestinian legal system as it operates in the West Bank. As an intern, you can enroll for a period of from 1 to 13 weeks, year-round (spring, summer, fall, and winter). The Palestinian Law program aims to provide a complete understanding of legislation applying to the West Bank and Gaza.
During the legal internship program, you will visit local Palestinian lawyers, law faculties, courts, human rights organizations, legal and religious institutions, as well as legal clinics in the city of Hebron, Palestine. You will witness the enactment of laws, the decision-making process, court rulings, legal negotiations, and mediations in various social settings.
4. Human Rights Internship in Palestine
Human Rights in Palestine Internship Program: Volunteer in Palestine in Hebron offers human rights volunteer opportunities that highlight Palestinian rights and promote personal and professional growth. Students gain experience in international law, diplomacy, and humanitarian aid while enhancing their intercultural and Arabic language skills. Participants will raise awareness about human rights in the West Bank and support local communities through education.
Volunteer in Palestine offers human rights internships and volunteer programs year-round for 1 to 13 weeks, with flexible start and end dates. Participants can learn Ammiya (Palestinian Arabic) and receive three hours of Arabic instruction weekly from qualified teachers. You’ll engage with Palestinian and international NGOs, professors, students, and human rights activists and participate in excursions to refugee camps and organizations, enhancing your academic work and Arabic skills.
5. Volunteer in Local Palestinian Villages
Volunteer in Local Palestinian Villages: This program offers an excellent opportunity for individuals of all ages, from students to retirees, to work directly with Palestinian communities in villages and rural areas of the West Bank, including Dura and the Hebron Hills, such as Masafer Yatta, Susya, Umm Al-Khayr, the Al-Fawwar refugee camp, and Bani Na’im. Volunteers will collaborate with Palestinian children, youth, women, and refugees to enhance their skills and participate in educational and recreational activities.
Volunteers will also learn Arabic to communicate with the locals and visit sites of Palestinian cultural and historical significance in and around Hebron city. This program is an excellent opportunity to deepen their understanding of daily life in Palestinian communities, security challenges, and resilience under occupation.
Flexible Program Options
Volunteer in Palestine offers all of our participants a range of flexible options. You can decide how long your volunteer or internship program will be, starting from 1 week and up to 13 weeks (due to the 90-day limitation of the visa). Our short-term programs are available year-round, and you are free to choose your own start and end dates.
Additionally, you can combine your human rights program with any of our other programs, if you wish. It is also possible to extend your program after you arrive in Palestine, or to add additional hours of Arabic lessons to your program.
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Conclusion
Participating in a short-term Human Rights Internship Program in Hebron, Palestine can be a very rewarding as well as eye-opening experience in one of the longest-suffering countries in the world. The human rights situation in Palestine is very severe and urgent, and individuals who are principled and passionate can contribute to making a difference.
Our Human Rights Internship Program offers you the chance to connect with local human rights organizations and key individuals, potentially collaborating on projects with them. You will also have the opportunity to run your own human rights workshops, engaging with and informing local Palestinians, particularly Palestinian youth. Your program also includes various visits and excursions in and around Hebron to places of cultural, political, and historical importance, as well as areas of interest in the field of human rights. This is in addition to other inclusions such as Arabic tuition, accommodation, and daily breakfast (except Fridays).
Participating in our Human Rights Internship Program not only allows you to develop valuable skills relevant to this field, but you will also gain practical, real-world experience to add to your CV. But most importantly, you can have a meaningful impact on your own life as well as the lives of local Palestinians through your contribution.
We look forward to receiving your application for Palestine’s unique Human Rights Internship Program in the near future!
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