Building Human Rights and Gender-Sensitive Practices in Border Management

EUBAM Rafah, jointly with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), conducted a two-day training for Palestinian border personnel from the General Authority for Borders and Crossings (GABC) in Jericho. The program addressed key aspects of human rights-based and gender-sensitive border management.

The participants were border police officers, customs officers and personnel working at border crossings who could strengthen their competencies in:

- Human rights principles in border management
- Gender-sensitive communication and procedures
- Professional interviewing, screening, and search practices
- Identification of vulnerable persons and protection needs
- Referral mechanisms and first-response measures
- Accountability, detention standards, and operational decision-making

The programme combined practical exercises, case studies, simulations, and peer learning to support the application of international standards in everyday border operations.

By investing in professional, rights-based border management, the training aimed to enhance service delivery, strengthen public trust, and support the protection of all persons crossing borders with dignity and respect.