THE Irish Centre for Human Rights was unable to honour its most prestigious former student after his attendance at an award ceremony was blocked by the Israeli courts.

Shawan Jabarin, the director general of the Middle East's oldest human rights group Al-Haq, has been branded a terrorist by the Israeli authorities and has been refused permission to leave the West Bank.

Jabarin, who completed a master's degree at Galway in 2005, was due to collect the 'distinguished graduate award' from among several hundred former students last Friday but was unable to attend in person.

Speaking to the Sunday Tribune from the West Bank, he said that because the 'evidence' against him has been kept secret in court, he is unable to challenge it but denies being a member of the terrorist organisation the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

"This is their accusation but if they want to prove that, take me to court," he said.

Jabarin has spent around eight years in prison for his activities although he has not been in custody since 1998.

He says the paradox of the travel ban is that the Israeli authorities would be happy to allow him leave for a period of years, just not for short periods of time.

"It's the Israeli mentality; they try to punish people who attempt to defend people's rights. This is my belief and I will not give up," he said.

"I am sure I will get out one day, I don't know when. I think they feel that because I am a director of Al-Haq that by imposing this ban they can put pressure on Al-Haq as an organisation but this will not happen."

Several human rights organisations have lobbied on Jabarin's behalf over the years and he has won several human rights awards.

"He was very hard working and enthusiastic and some people joked that he was teaching the students more about human rights and international rights given his background," said Dr Shane Darcy of NUI Galway.

"There was little hesitation when we decided that we were going to have this award after 10 years that he was the one for it."

The ceremony took place on Friday to mark the first decade of the Irish Centre for Human Rights. Jabarin arranged to accept the award via conference link.