A REMINDER this a wonderful, rare opportunity to hear about the role and challenges of the Palestinian Independent Commission For Citizens’ Rights (PICCR) their equivalent Human Rights Commission.

SPEAKERS FORUM

The NZ Human Rights Commission and the Council for International Development invites You to the First Speakers Forum for the year:

TOPIC: The Role of the Palestinian Independent Commission For Citizens’ Rights (PICCR) in safeguarding human rights in Palestine.

DATE: Tuesday 15 February 2005

TIME: 12.00 – 1.30 pm

WHERE: Lecture Theatre 3, Victoria University, Old Government Buildings, Lambton Quay, Wellington

SPEAKERS: Dr. Mamdouh Aker co-founder of PICCR & Ms. Lamis Alami Executive Director of PICCR

These two senior members of the PICCR, the national human rights institution of the West Bank / Gaza will be visiting NZ and have agreed to talk about and discuss their work.

Dr Mamdouh Aker is the Commissioner General for PICCR and has been in this role since September 2003.

Dr Aker practices as a senior consultant urologist at Augusta Victoria Hospital, East Jerusalem; St. Luke's Hospital, Nablus and the Arab Care Hospital in Ramallah.

Dr Aker was a co-founder of the first Palestinian Medical School at Al Quds University where he is a Clinical Associate Professor. He is a co-founder of the Mandela Institute for Palestinian Political Prisoner.

Ms Lamis Alami joined the PICCR as Executive Director in July 2004. Prior to this she was Chief of the Field Education Program at the United Nations Refugee and Works Agency.

Dr Aker and Ms Alami will be accompanied by Mr Stephen Clark, of the Asia Pacific Forum on Human Rights (APF) Secretariat who is coordinating the tour.

RSVP to tait@hrc.co.nz

It's Official: Wh?anganui

The official geographic name for the city of Wanganui will be the alternatives ‘Whanganui’ or ‘Wanganui’, Minister for Land Information Maurice Williamson announced today.

“My intention to assign alternative names for the city allows people to choose the name they prefer...

“On balance I believe that alternative naming respectfully acknowledges the correct spelling of the Māori word “Whanganui”. It also respects the views of those who have always known the city’s name to be spelt “Wanganui”. More>>