Defense for Children International Palestine (DCIP) is committed to securing a just and viable future for Palestinian children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

For more than twenty years, we have supported and advocated for this child population: investigating and documenting grave human rights violations, holding both Israeli and Palestinian authorities to account, and providing legal services to children in urgent need. We will continue to demand national and international bodies enact stronger measures to safeguard this vulnerable demographic of Palestinian society.

Since DCIP’s inception in 1991, we remain the only Palestinian human rights organization specifically focused on child rights. Our highest value is the pursuit of each child’s best interests. To this end, we are guided by the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), as well as other international, regional and local standards.

AFFILIATION

As a national section of Defense for Children International (DCI), an international child-rights movement and non-governmental organization established in 1979, we pledge to follow DCI’s mandate to “promote and protect children’s rights in accordance with international standards.” At the same time, DCIP autonomously develops its own programs in response to contextual needs.

Defense for Children International currently has 45 sections around the world, and an international secretariat in Geneva. Each section is a member of the International General Assembly of DCI, which convenes every three years. Additionally, DCI holds consultative status on the United Nations Economic and Social Council, UNICEF, UNESCO, and the Council of Europe.

GOVERNANCE

DCIP is governed by a General Assembly and a Board of Trustees—which is elected by assembly members biannually. The General Assembly convenes annually and the Board of Trustees meets quarterly. By-laws and procedures are available upon request.

REGISTRATION

DCIP was first registered in 1996 by the Israeli Ministry of Interior. In 2003, DCI-Palestine was registered under Palestinian Authority jurisdiction as an independent Palestinian non-governmental organization (RA-2282-SS).