Report of the Human Rights center 2025-2026
The Human Rights Center at the Islamic University of Lebanon (IUL) proudly presents its Activity Report for the 2025–2026 academic period, showcasing a transformative era of experiential legal education, international synergy, and civic advocacy. Guided by our institutional commitment to social justice and academic distinction, the Center has significantly expanded its operational footprint through strategic partnerships with key global and regional bodies, including the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), UNESCO, and the American University of Beirut (AUB).
Crucially, the Center’s initiatives are strategically designed to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), driving meaningful progress across multiple areas:
SDG 4: Quality Education – By pioneering advanced professional training, organizing regional specialized workshops, and introducing bilingual experiential learning models.
SDG 5: Gender Equality – By actively fostering a vibrant culture of human rights awareness, female student leadership, and progressive legal frameworks addressing gender justice.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – By institutionalizing alternative dispute resolution (ADR), building institutional frameworks for conflict prevention, and defending human rights within personal status and digital systems.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – By building strong, cross-sector collaborations between academia, international agencies, and local civil society networks.
Over the past two years, the Center has successfully bridged the gap between complex legal theory and contemporary societal challenges, continuing to empower a new generation of legally astute leaders equipped to drive sustainable change and cross-cultural dialogue both across Lebanon and the wider Arab region.
Participation in the Inter-University Program on Women’s Rights in Personal Status Law
The Human Rights Center at the Islamic University of Lebanon has participated in the Inter-University Program on Women’s Rights in Personal Status Law, organized by the Adyan Foundation in collaboration with the Human Rights Clinic of Université La Sagesse (ULS), from 1 to 7 April 2025. The program aimed to enhance students’ understanding of the legal, social, and human rights dimensions of women’s rights within personal status law systems.
The university was represented by Hadi Arab, Ghida Dweik, Sally Nawfal, Hanin Al Achkar, and Rabih Bou Dhen. Their participation was conducted under the academic supervision of Dr. Jinan Al Toufaily, reflecting the university’s commitment to promoting legal education, human rights awareness, and active student engagement in contemporary issues related to gender equality and justice.
The Human Rights Center of the Islamic University of Lebanon opened a new Moot Court room on April 14, 2025, facilitating practical legal training through a bilingual course (English and Arabic) directed by Dr. Jinan Al-Toufaily.
Participation in the KILAW moot court
The Human Rights Center at the Islamic University of Lebanon competed in the 11th Moot Court Competition on December 28–29, 2025, which was held remotely by Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. Led by Dr. Jinan Al-Toufaily, Director of the Human Rights Center, the university's student team—consisting of Tia Al-Masri, Aya Ibrahim, Celine Bou Hamdan, and Ayat Hassan—represented the institution in the Lebanese national qualifiers against the Lebanese University and Beirut Arab University.".
Participation in the 12th Arabic Moot Court Competition (Hosted by A'Sharqiyah University)
The Islamic University of Lebanon competed in the 12th Moot Court Competition on December 28–29, 2026, hosted virtually by Oman's A'Sharqiyah University. Supervised by Dr. Jinan Al-Toufaily, Head of the Human Rights Center, the student team—comprising Lara Hassan, Maryam Tahmaz, and Lilas Dahbar—represented the university during the Lebanon-level qualifiers alongside the Lebanese University and Beirut Arab University."
IUL Team 515 Qualifies for the 19th Monroe E. Price International Rounds
In February 2026, the Islamic University of Lebanon (Team 515) achieved qualification for the 19th International Rounds of the Monroe E. Price Media Law Moot Court Competition. Under the academic coaching of Dr. Jinan Al-Toufaily, the student delegation consisted of Ghida Dweik, Zahraa Hamed, Nagham Ezzeddine, Hadi Arab, and Jana Ghanem. Although slated to compete in the regional segment hosted in Egypt, the team was precluded from traveling due to the prevailing macroeconomic constraints affecting Lebanon. https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/bonavero-institute-of-human-rights/monroe-e-price-media-law-moot-court-competition
Participation in the Pedagogical Uses of Artificial Intelligence Training Workshop on
The Human Rights Director at the Islamic University of Lebanon (IUL) Dr. Jinan Al Toufaily and Dr GHada Houbbalah , Dr Nisrin Nasereldine have participated in a specialized training workshop on the pedagogical applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI), organized by the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) in partnership with the Islamic University of Lebanon.
Faculty Capacity Building & Financial Crime Compliance Certification
The Human Rights Director Dr. Jinan Al-Toufaily was awarded the Professional Certificate in Combating Trade-Based Financial Crime from the American University of Beirut (AUB), issued in collaboration with the MENA Financial Crime Compliance Group (MENA FCCG) and the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime. This achievement was made possible through the continuous institutional support and dedication to academic excellence championed by the President of the Islamic University of Lebanon (IUL), Professor Hassan Lakkis.
Participation in 'The Humanities Under Digital Systems' Conference
Faculty members from the Faculty of Law and Political Science, namely the Human Rights Director Dr. Jinan Al-Toufaily, Dr. Nisreen Nasser Al-Din, and Dr. Ghada Haballah, participated in an academic conference entitled 'The Humanities Under Digital Systems.' The event was organized by the Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences at the Islamic University of Lebanon and held on May 29, 2025, at the Wardanieh Campus, under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency Professor Dr. Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary General of the Association of Arab Universities.
Participation in the Regional Conference of Rectors (C2R) Internationalization Webinar
The Human Rights Director Dr. Jinan Al-Toufaily as a member in the C2R has participated in a specialized webinar titled "From strategy to impact: good internationalization practices," which was organized by the Middle East Regional Conference of Rectors (C2R) and the AUF (Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie) Middle East. The session was delivered as part of the strategic support initiatives led by the C2R's "Internationalization" thematic commission to strengthen the capacity of its member universities.
Participation of the Human Rights Center at the Islamic University of Lebanon in the AUF Regional Mediation Bootcamp
In the framework of its commitment to promoting a culture of dialogue, peaceful conflict resolution, and active citizenship, the Human Rights Directorate at the Islamic University of Lebanon (IUL), in collaboration with the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), selected two outstanding students, Hadeel Balhas and Razan Awde, to represent the University at the Regional Mediation Bootcamp organized by AUF Middle East in partnership with the Centre Professionnel de Médiation (CPM) of Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ).
Held on 20–21 May 2025 at the Francophone Digital Campus (CEF) in Beirut, the bootcamp brought together students from seven countries across the region to enhance their competencies in mediation, positive communication, and conflict management. The initiative aimed to empower participants to play an active role within their universities and communities by promoting the values of dialogue, cultural diversity, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence.
The participation of IUL students in this regional program reflects the University's dedication to developing future leaders equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to contribute constructively to conflict prevention and social cohesion at both the national and regional levels.
Human Rights Center Organizes Student Moot Court Session
On June 16, 2025, a specialized Moot Court session was organized under the supervision of Dr. Jinan Al-Toufaily, Director of the Human Rights Center, and Dr. Nisreen Nasser Al-Din. The simulation featured active presentation and legal arguments by third-year undergraduate law students."
Participation in 'The Family Under Imam Zain Al-Abidin's Treatise on Rights' Conference
Dr. Jinan Al-Toufaily, Director of the Human Rights Center at the Islamic University of Lebanon (IUL), and Dr. Nisreen Nasser Al-Din, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Law, participated in an academic conference titled "The Family in Light of Imam Zain Al-Abidin’s (PBUH) Treatise on Rights and the Challenges of Cultural Invasion.
Organization of the Professional Mediation Workshop: A Tool for Conflict Prevention and Management
Dr. Jinan Al-Toufaily, Director of the Human Rights Center at the Islamic University of Lebanon, in collaboration with the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) and the Professional Mediation Center at Saint Joseph University (USJ), organized a four-day training workshop titled 'Mediation: A Tool for Conflict Prevention and Management' from October 7 to 10. Hosted at the IUL Khaldeh campus, the session trained 35 law students from multiple branches. The workshop was facilitated by Advocate Zeina Husseini Majzoub, a member of the USJ Professional Mediation Center, and concluded with an official certificate distribution ceremony.
International Webinar Participation: Digital Evidence and Fundamental Human Rights
On October 7, 2025, Human Rights Center Director Dr. Jinan Al-Toufaily attended the international webinar "Digital Evidence Collection and Freedom of Expression and Privacy," co-convened by the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) and UNESCO. The scholarly panel assessed the procedural complexities of gathering digital forensics during investigations while ensuring compliance with international human rights standards. You can access further details regarding the training at the International Association of Prosecutors.
Institutional Collaboration and Strategic Partnership for Human Rights Advocacy
On October 22, 2025, a delegation from the "Nidal for Human Rights" Association visited Dr. Hassan Lakkis, President of the Islamic University of Lebanon (IUL), to establish a collaborative framework for human rights education and youth awareness. The visiting delegation included the President of the Association, Rima Saliba, and Administrative Board Member, Farid Mahmoud. The meeting focused on exploring strategic methods to enhance social and cultural human rights awareness among the youth, alongside developing joint cooperative initiatives between the university and the association
Regional Seminar on Academic Mediation: Conflict Prevention and Resolution on University Campuses
Dr. Jinan Ahmad Al-Toufaily, Director of the Human Rights Center, represented the Islamic University of Lebanon (IUL) at a specialized regional seminar titled "Mediation as a Tool for Conflict Prevention and Resolution on University Campuses." The summit was convened from December 9 to 11, 2025, in Larnaca, Cyprus. Organised by the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), the initiative was held in academic partnership with the Professional Mediation Center (CPM) at Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) and was fully funded and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus (Cyprus Aid).
Participation in the Mediation and Conflict Management Awareness Workshop
As part of its ongoing commitment to promoting peaceful conflict resolution and fostering a culture of dialogue, the Director of the Human Rights Center at the Islamic University of Lebanon (IUL) , through its membership in the C2R Middle East (Mediation and Conflict Management Commission), facilitated the participation of student Nagham Shamas in the awareness workshop organized for students of legal clinics affiliated with member universities of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) which took place online on 23 June 2026 from 4:00 till 6:00 pm.
Islamic University of Lebanon Students Excel in the Thirteenth Edition of the Inter-University Program on International Criminal Law
The President of the Islamic University of Lebanon, Professor Hassan Lakkis, the Dean of the Faculty of Law and Political Science Dr. Hadia Al chami, and the Director of the Human Rights Center, Dr. Jinan Al Toufaily, are pleased to extend its sincere congratulations to their students who successfully participated in the Thirteenth Edition of the Inter-University Program on International Criminal Law and Related Procedures.
In 2026, the program was expanded to include participants from across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, bringing together more than 350 students from universities in Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, and Iraq. The initiative aims to strengthen academic cooperation among legal clinics in Arab universities and to promote advanced knowledge and practical engagement in the field of international criminal law.
The program was organized by Sagesse University in cooperation with the T.M.C. Asser Institute (The Hague) and the IUSTICOM Non-Governmental Organization, and was held from January to May 2026.
The Islamic University of Lebanon is particularly proud of the outstanding achievements of its participating students:
Ghida Dweik, who achieved an exceptional score of 96/100 and was ranked among the top twenty participants in the program, Bilal Abou Hadla, Hanadi Nael, Houssam Nabha, Sara Srouji and Ghofran Joumblat
The human rights director Dr. Jinan Al Toufaily is attending the programme, entitled AI, Justice, and the Rule of Law which was developed together with the Saïd Business School, the Blavatnik School of Government, and the Faculty of Law at the University of Oxford and UNESCO with support from the European Union.
The course examines how AI technologies are increasingly being integrated into judicial practice, including legal research, evidence analysis, real-time translation, case management, and risk or sentencing assessments. Against this background, the programme focuses on how courts and legal professionals could make use of AI while safeguarding human rights, judicial independence, procedural fairness, and public trust. https://eucrim.eu/news/course-on-ai-justice-and-the-rule-of-law/
The Human Rights director Dr. Jinan Al Toufaily have participated in the workshop entitled : "Mediation skills: leadership, empathy, and strategic negotiation" from September 21 to 23, 2026. The AUF Middle East, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus and Cyprus Aid, in collaboration with the Professional Mediation Center of Saint Joseph University of Beirut, organized two regional workshops in Nicosia dedicated to mediation techniques, bringing together 48 teachers and academic leaders from 43 AUF member universities, from 12 countries: Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine (West Bank and Gaza), Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
The workshop focused on developing leadership and conflict management skills, as well as conflict analysis and negotiation techniques.
Participants also worked on fundamental mediation skills and the mediator's posture, as well as active listening, empathy, emotional intelligence, and communication techniques.
