HIGHLIGHTS OF RESULTS civil society initiatives were lauded by stakeholders for their significant contribution to a peaceful environment for the presidential elections and the reduction in post-electoral social conflicts. Those capacities were also developed in relation to the legislative elections held in early 2019. P7 Public recognition that human rights and accountability make important contributions to effective responses to violence, including terrorism and violent extremism, increases. Under the MoU between UN Human Rights and the Tunisian Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) and through engagement with the Independent High Authority of Elections (ISIE), UN Human Rights sensitized approximately 800 imams who are responsible for Friday prayers regarding their obligation to maintain a principle of neutrality during electoral campaigns. In August, UN Human Rights organized a series of regional meetings aimed at enhancing the role of religious actors to facilitate free, honest, transparent and peaceful elections in 2019. UN Human Rights organized four interactive sessions on free speech in the context of countering hate speech and the partiality of imams in the electoral context. The MoRA and the ISIE have since reported that, thanks to the sensitization discussions that were conducted with UN Human Rights’ support, they observed no major violations of the principle of neutrality of mosques or incitement to hatred by imams during the electoral period. Through two additional workshops and bilateral meetings that were undertaken within the same framework, UN Human Rights and the MoRA consulted with the trade union of imams and the Tlili Foundation, a local CSO with expertise in the education of imams, in order to develop a three-year strategic plan to implement the MoU. JOB SHADOWING AT THE REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA © Mostafa Hakawati Mostafa Hakawati, 17 “Human rights in Lebanon are viewed as a dead end. I remember the look in my parents’ eyes when I told them I wanted to pursue a career in human rights and law. They were proud to have a son who wanted to make things right, but they were worried about the practicalities. Shifts: Climate change Corruption For my school’s job shadowing day, I had the opportunity to visit the UN. I didn’t think I’d be lucky enough to be placed in my field of interest, but I was chosen to shadow at the UN Human Rights Regional Office for MENA. When I arrived, I had low expectations that I would take part in anything significant, but the UNV working on Bahrain gave me an immediate crash course on international human rights mechanisms. I was mesmerized! As I interacted with the team, I realized that this was the world where I belonged. I was struck by the productivity that was generated in the span of a day! From 8-9 March, I witnessed the closure of a threeyear project and several officers working on individual cases. What resonated with me the most, however, took place at a panel discussion on Lebanon’s Law No. 105 for the missing and forcibly disappeared. While Inequalities New technologies there, I looked up and saw a picture of Mehieddine Hashisho, my father’s uncle, who was kidnapped during the Lebanese Civil War. Although the Office didn’t know about this when I was selected, I was deeply touched to see his picture on display. I knew that he hadn’t been forgotten and that his rights and those of his family hadn’t been abandoned. I listened in on the discussions and talked to people who were engaged in the rights of the forcibly disappeared, including human rights officers from the UN Human Rights headquarters, international experts, heads of international and local organizations, ministers and deputies. These experiences helped me to decide that I want to strive for a better future through human rights. I look forward to joining the community that is working to make this dream a reality.” People on the move UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2019 59