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Hanan AshrawiPalestinian human rights activist, statesman and educator
Date of Birth: 08.10.1946
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Education and Time in Beirut:
- Studies in the United States:
- Return to Palestine
- Involvement in Intifada:
- Peace and Politics
- Palestinian Legislative Council:
- Palestinian Human Rights Advocate:
- International Recognition
- Engagement on Global Issues:
- Continued Advocacy
- Post-Oslo Activism:
- Later Political Career:
Early Life and Education
Birth and Family:Hanan Mikhail Ashrawi was born in 1946 in Nablus, Mandate Palestine (now West Bank). Her father, Daoud Mikhail, was a physician and nationalist activist, later co-founding the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
Education and Time in Beirut:
Ashrawi attended the American University of Beirut, where she earned a bachelor's degree in English literature. She became involved with the General Union of Palestinian Students (GUPS) during this time.
Studies in the United States:
Following the Six-Day War in 1967, Ashrawi studied at the University of Virginia, earning a doctorate in medieval and comparative literature.
Return to Palestine
Establishment of Birzeit University Department:In 1973, Ashrawi returned to Ramallah and established the Department of English Language and Literature at Birzeit Anglican College (later Birzeit University). She also advocated for Arab women's family rights.
Involvement in Intifada:
After the 1982 massacre of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, Ashrawi became more vocal in her support of Palestinian rights and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. In 1988, she joined the Political Council of the Palestinian Intifada.
Peace and Politics
Madrid Peace Conference:In 1991, Ashrawi became the official spokesperson for the Palestinian delegation at the Madrid Peace Conference. Her role was challenged by Israel, but she successfully protested her exclusion.
Palestinian Legislative Council:
In 1996, Ashrawi was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council as an independent from Jerusalem. She served as Minister of Higher Education and Science from 1996 to 1998.
Palestinian Human Rights Advocate:
Ashrawi established the Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens' Rights (PICCR) in 1993 and led the organization until 1996.
International Recognition
Awards and Honors:Ashrawi has received numerous awards, including the Olof Palme Prize (2002), the Sydney Peace Prize (2003), and the Mahatma Gandhi International Peace and Reconciliation Award (2005).
Engagement on Global Issues:
Ashrawi has served on boards and committees related to international relations, human rights, and development. She was a member of the Independent International Commission on Kosovo and held the Weisberg Chair in International Studies at Beloit College.
Continued Advocacy
Establishment of MIFTAH:In 1998, Ashrawi founded MIFTAH, an organization dedicated to promoting global dialogue and democracy. Through MIFTAH, she has criticized both Israel and the PNA for their failures.
Post-Oslo Activism:
During the Al-Aqsa Intifada, Ashrawi continued her human rights advocacy and was injured by an Israeli stun grenade in 2001.
Later Political Career:
Ashrawi was re-elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006, this time with the Third Way bloc. She remains a prominent advocate for Palestinian rights and equitable solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.