A Caged Bird’s Song / Right to Education Campaign at Birzeit University

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Greetings from the Right to Education Campaign at Birzeit University 

February – March 2006 

Over the last two months, the extreme restrictions on movement imposed on Palestinians by the Israeli military occupation, have become even tighter.  Restrictions in the north West Bank have been particularly severe, with students reporting problems in reaching their mid-term and final exams http://right2edu.birzeit.edu/news/article352. The sudden imposition of flying checkpoints, including on the road to Birzeit University, has also been a frequent occurrence over recent weeks.  Ahmad, a Birzeit University student from Jenin says, "You need to start your journey at 3am in order to reach university at 6am, before the soldiers take their positions on the checkpoints and the flying checkpoints start, or else you will spend your whole day going through the fields and small roads trying to get around the checkpoints." 

Last year, the Right to Education Campaign brought together a group of student photographers from Birzeit University and Al-Najah University in Nablus to work on the Right to Education Photography Project. Their aim was to document student life and the obstruction of Palestinian education under military occupation, through the artistic expression of their own ideas and experiences. Their photographs have now become an exhibition and a book, which were launched at Birzeit University last month to great acclaim, and will tour Palestinian and international venues throughout 2006 http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4532.shtml.  

Birzeit student, Walid Hanatche, was finally released from prison at the end of December 2005 after three-and-a-half years in administrative detention.  While it is difficult to know if this was a direct result of the campaign launched on his behalf, all the letters to the Israeli authorities from supporters and the intervention of Amnesty International certainly helped.  It is an example of the importance and effectiveness of international solidarity and from the Right to Education Campaign and Walid himself, we would like to thank all those who wrote to the military authorities in response to our appeal.  

This bulletin is divided into 3 sections: ‘News and Updates’, ‘Calls to Action’ and ‘How you Can Support the Right to Education Campaign’.  It includes links to recent key articles on the Right to Education website http://right2edu.birzeit.edu and ideas for action.   We want to hear from you so please get in touch and let us know about your activities.  Email us at right2edu@birzeit.edu. 

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A Caged Bird’s Song

A documentary film about the struggle of students to reach their academic institutions 

Almost one third of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are school and university students. Under Israeli occupation Palestinian education has been a constant struggle rather than a basic right. This film examines the more recent history of that struggle during Israel’s current war of attrition on the civilian population under its control. 

Filmed in the spring and summer of 2003, the film joins students and teachers on their everyday journey to reach their schools and universities under the regime of military roadblocks. Basic activities associated with educational life: reaching class, going home, attending graduation, have become immense challenges. In continuing to make the difficult journey, students and teachers assert their right to education and a future. This is their story. 

Film Specs

Classification: Documentary

Directed by: Sobhi Zobaidi

Release date: 2003

Length: 30 minutes

Language: Arabic with English subtitles 

Get at:  http://www.palestineonlinestore.com/films/cagedbird.htm

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