2015 – 2020
Masar’s work on the Palestinian program has been supported by HSD since 2015. Since then, the work has been ongoing, cumulative, and multi-level. Having strong connections in both the Lebanese and Palestinian communities, Masar sees it can have an added value in building bridges and synergies between Lebanese and Palestinians i.e. strengthening inter- communication between Lebanese and Palestinians rather than intra- communication among Palestinians only.
Achievements to date can be summarized in the below:
- The development of an evidence- based and multi- sectoral advocacy dossier as the basis for advocacy work. The dossier is in 8 chapters with each chapter focusing on one topic/ sector as follows: the right to personal identity and legal recognition; the right to education and health; the right to freedom of movement and decent housing; the right to work and social security; the right to ownership of property; the right to freedom of associations; the right to choose representatives in local government (popular committees); the right to a fair trial and rights of juvenile offenders. Each chapter presents a) a description of the situation on the ground; b) violations and implications; c) breaches of international agreements/ treaties; d) recommendations. The dossier serves as a compass for right based advocacy work for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
- The development and dissemination of working papers titled: the right to decent housing for Palestinians in camps and gatherings; the right of Palestinian workers who are registered at the National Social Security Fund to benefit from all its perks; Palestinians in Lebanon and free professions that are organized into orders: practicing nursing as an example.
- The development of bills of rights and presenting them to relevant decision makers. These are on: the right for Palestinian refugees to work in Lebanon; ensuring social security for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon; securing healthcare for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon; amending law related to acquisition of real estate rights for foreigners in Lebanon.
- The development of a study titled “Gauging Perceptions of Palestinian Youth on Key Issues” and presenting it to UNRWA over its adjusted hospitalization policy and communication strategy with the Palestinian community in Lebanon.
- The organization of many strolls/ study visits to refugee camps and Lebanese communities, gathering Lebanese and Palestinian youth from diverse organizations, political factions and parties, and holding dialogue sessions on topics of mutual concern.
- The execution of a national multi- media campaign titled “A Human from Palestine” that aimed at changing perceptions towards Palestinians in Lebanon by the diffusion of correct information through info-graphs, Q&As, photos, success stories from camps, and thematic advocacy videos.
- The organization of many advocacy meetings over Palestinians’ rights with a wide range of Lebanese and Palestinian duty bearers, decision makers, and service providers, including the Lebanese Palestinian Dialogue Committee (LPDC), the Embassy of Palestine in Lebanon, the Palestinian Higher Council of Youth & Sports that is affiliated to the Palestinian Ministry of Youth and Sports in Palestine, UNRWA, media, political parties and factions, among others.
- The organization of many thematic round table sessions with youth at universities, clubs, NGOs with them aim to sensitise them on the importance of endorsing human rights for Palestinians and hence, widen the support base for the advocacy work.
- The formation of a representative Palestinian youth core team whose role is to collectively advocate a right- based agenda in Lebanon. To be effective, the core team requires the setting out of a structure, by-laws, membership criteria, an organigram, a strategic plan, and a series of capacity development workshops for its members.