November 03, 2008

New Student Group Will Focus on Human Rights and Journalism
By Samar Sabat

A new student group has been launched by ten Bethlehem University students who hope to shine a spotlight on local human rights issues and team up with students from around the world in order to generate a stronger message. The group was started in September and is the first of its kind in the Middle East. The group is called Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) and the Bethlehem University chapter is now one of many chapters, which also exist throughout North America and Africa. 

"This is the first step towards the change." says Vivian Ghobar, the president of the JHR chapter at Bethlehem University.  "We as students at Bethlehem University feel proud to be the first ones in the Middle East who are a part of JHR. As a university student, you have the power to be the change you want to see in Palestine. When you take action, people watch. When you talk, people listen."

The members of the JHR chapter will show human rights movies and participate in local and international human rights activities.  The JHR chapter will write articles and use other forms of media to increase awareness of human rights abuses.

The mission of JHR is to fight human rights abuses. It has been working to combat such violations since it was first founded in May 2002. The Canadian organization has run projects in many countries, including Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Benin, Senegal, Uganda, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Canada.  It is proud to now have a presence in the Middle East.

The students of the JHR chapter at Bethlehem University hope to get bring a greater awareness of underreported human rights abuses to the local community.  The chapter will launch this week with a screening of the movie Blood Diamond in Furno Hall from 10:30am-1pm on Thursday, November 6th, during the activity hour.