Since the political division in 2007, the Palestinian political system has suffered from the absence of a peaceful transition of power and marginalization of whole generations from their right to political participation, guaranteed in the Palestinian basic law and human rights agreements to which Palestine is a signatory. Hence, elections constitute one of these rights and are a gateway for the values of integrity, transparency and the transition of power as the foundation of good governance. Despite the shortcomings that have wracked the local council electoral system over the years, including tribalism, the sidelining of the role of youth and the diminishing role of women in local councils, still the demand for local elections in all areas in accordance with the Local Authorities Law, is agreed on by all CSOs, including political parties and forces, unions and institutions. They view elections as a democratic tool for change to preserve civic peace and contribute to the institutionalization of the Palestinian political system.
CSOs and civic movements have exerted efforts over the past few months to hold local elections in all local councils in the West Bank, Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip on the same day as stipulated in the Local Authorities Law. Most political factions and forces and CSOs agree on the need not to fragment the elections, which contravenes with the stipulations of the law and national interests. It also goes against the premise that local elections are an entryway for laying the ground to hold PNC, PLC and presidential elections in addition to the premise that they should be held in one phase that includes all districts based on a national debate around them.
The Cabinet decision to hold local elections in two stages, the first on 11/12/2021 in the West Bank’s Category (C) village and town councils and the second on 26/3/2021 in West Bank local councils in Categories (A and B) and in the Gaza Strip districts categorized (A.B and C), is in violation of the Local Authorities law and its amendments, which necessitate a plausible reason for holding elections in stages. CSOs believe the government’s continued insistence to hold elections in two stages, with a date for the second stage already set, is an expression of political bias towards one specific faction and far -removed from national interests and the exercise of true political participation and elections on the basis of good governance and the peaceful transition of power.
CSOs reiterate the importance of providing a sound electoral climate in which citizens can exercise their right to candidacy, voting and expression of opinions and can hold all elections-related activities with absolute freedom as stipulated by the Basic Law. They find the current atmosphere as being rife with incitement and mobilization, with continued political arrests and summons of activists by PA security forces on the back of union work and political activity. This, they maintain, has made for an unhealthy elections atmosphere, which can adversely influence the course of the electoral process and results.
CSOs still consider the CEC as a main guarantor for the integrity of the electoral process in terms of its legal procedures for registration, candidacy and voting. They also maintain that the CEC continues to enjoy the respect and trust of the majority of Palestinian society given its role over the years, which has been neutral, transparent and open to civil society and factions alike. This has rendered it a focal point at all stages in the Palestinian democratic process and is imperative for it to continue with the same approach in all stages of this process.
Civil society institutions thus confirm their position regarding the need to hold local council elections in accordance with the requirements of the law. They believe the government, political factions and forces still have time to stop the first phase and prevent the fragmentation of the elections, thereby holding them on one day in all districts. In this way, the date set for the second phase of elections would become the day for all local council elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Prior to this date, a dialogue would be held between all political and social forces in the West Bank and Gaza Strip regarding these one-time elections, with CSOs continuing their efforts to reach this goal.
CSO’s reaffirm that the right to vote and run for elections is a basic right, which must have the respect of all parties involved in the electoral process, including electoral lists, regardless of whether they belong to political parties or are independent. This also includes law enforcers who, by law, must not interfere in any stage of the electoral process. The CSOs also reaffirm the need for political parties to respect the law and not interfere in the electoral process in any shape or form and to provide a climate in which citizens can exercise all rights and freedoms guaranteed to them by law. Furthermore, the CSO’s reaffirm the right of all civil society institutions to choose the appropriate manner in which to follow and monitor local elections in all their stages.
ورقة موقف صادرة عن مؤسسات المجتمع المدني والعمل الأهلي بشأن انتخابات الهيئات المحلية
تاريخ النشر: 03/11/2021
بقلم: مؤسسات المجتمع المدني والعمل الأهلي
يعاني النظام السياسي الفلسطيني منذ الانقسام السياسي في العام 2007 من غياب لتداول السلطة، وتهميش لأجيال كاملة من حقها في المشاركة السياسية المكفولة في القانون الأساسي الفلسطيني والاتفاقيات الأساسية لحقوق الإنسان التي انضمت لها فلسطين، حيث تشكل الانتخابات أحد ركائز هذا الحق، وهو بمثابة البوابة لتفعيل قيم النزاهة والشفافية وتداول السلطة كأساس للحكم الرشيد، وعلى الرغم مما يعتري النظام الانتخابي للهيئات المحلية من سلبيات عززت على مدار السنين السابقة العشائرية وتهميش دور الشباب ونتقاص من دور النساء في الهيئات المحلية، إلا أن المطالبة بإجراء انتخابات الهيئات المحلية في كافة المناطق وفق مقتضيات قانون انتخابات مجالس الهيئات المحلية هو مطلب يجمع عليه المجتمع المدني بكافة مكوناته من أحزاب وقوى سياسية واتحادات ومؤسسات وفعاليات كأداة ديمقراطية للتغيير تحفظ السلم الأهلي وتساهم في حوكمة النظام السياسي الفلسطيني.
لقد بذلت مؤسسات المجتمع المدني والعمل الأهلي خلال الأشهر القليلة الماضية جهوداً حثيثة من أجل اجراء انتخابات الهيئات المحلية وفق مقتضيات قانون انتخاب مجالس الهيئات المحلية على أن تجري في جميع الهيئات المحلية في الضفة الغربية والقدس وقطاع غزة وفي ذات اليوم، فقد أجمعت معظم القوى والأحزاب السياسية ومؤسسات المجتمع المدني والعمل الأهلي على ضرورة عدم تجزئة اجراء انتخابات الهيئات المحلية؛ بما يخالف مقتضيات القانون والمصلحة الوطنية واعتبار انتخابات الهيئات المحلية مدخلاً وسلوكاً ونهجاً يبنى عليه باتجاه اجراء انتخابات المجلس الوطني والمجلس التشريعي والرئاسة، وضرورة اجرائها على مرحلة واحدة بما يشمل كافة المحافظات واجراء حوار وطني حولها.
يعد قرار مجلس الوزراء بإجراء انتخاب مجالس الهيئات المحلية على مرحلتين الأولى تجري في 11/12/2021 فقط في محافظات الضفة الغربية للمجالس القروية والبلدية المصنفة (ج) على أن تجري المرحلة الثانية بتاريخ 26/3/2021 في محافظات الضفة للهيئات المحلية المصنفة (أ،ب) ومحافظات قطاع غزة للهيئات المصنفة ( أ،ب،ج )، مخالفاً لمقتضيات قانون انتخابات مجالس الهيئات المحلية، ومخالفاً لتعديلاته الصادرة بموجب قرار بقانون والذي أوجب وجود حالة تعذر لإجراء الانتخابات ليصار لإجرائها على مراحل، وترى مؤسسات المجتمع المدني باستمرار الحكومة على قرارها بإجراء الانتخابات على مرحلتين وبالرغم من تحديد تاريخ اجراء المرحلة الثانية يعبر عن نظرة حزبية سياسية تنحاز لفئة معينة، بعيدة كل البعد عن اعتبارات المصلحة الوطنية الشاملة، والممارسة الحقيقية للمشاركة السياسية والانتخابات كأساس للحكم الرشيد وتداول السلطة.
تؤكد مؤسسات المجتمع المدني على وجوب توفر مناخ وبيئة انتخابية سليمة، يمارس فيها المواطنون والمواطنات حقهم في الترشح والانتخاب والتعبير عن الرأي وإقامة كافة الأنشطة المرتبطة بالانتخابات بحرية مطلقة وفق ما كفله القانون الأساسي، وترى بأن البيئة الانتخابية والأجواء الراهنة هي أجواء ما زالت تجتر حالة التجييش والتحريض، فما زالت سياسية الاعتقالات والاستدعاءات للنشطاء من قبل الأجهزة الأمنية على خلفيات العمل النقابي والنشاط السياسي قائمة، بما يجعل من البيئة الانتخابية بيئة غير سليمة تؤثر بشكل كبير على مجريات العملية الانتخابية ونتائجها.
ما زالت مؤسسات المجتمع المدني ترى في لجنة الانتخابات المركزية ضامناً رئيسياً لنزاهة العملية الانتخابية من حيث الإجراءات الخاصة بالتسجيل والترشح والانتخاب وفق ما تقتضيه القوانين والأنظمة، وما زالت اللجنة تحظى باحترام وثقة غالبية قطاعات المجتمع الفلسطيني، لما قامت به من أدوار وطنية امتازت عبر السنين الماضية بالحيادية والشفافية والانفتاح على القوى والمجتمع المدني، بما يجعلها محل اهتمام في كل محطة من محطات الممارسة الديمقراطية في الحالة الفلسطينية، ويفرض عليها الاستمرار في ذات النهج فيما يتعلق بكافة مراحل العملية الانتخابية.
تؤكد مؤسسات المجتمع المدني على موقفها من وجوب اجراء انتخابات الهيئات المحلية وفق مقتضيات القانون، وترى أن الوقت ما زال متاحاً أمام الحكومة والقوى والأحزاب السياسية لوقف المرحلة الأولى وعدم تجزئة الانتخابات واجرائها في يوم واحد وفي كافة المحافظات على أن يكون التاريخ المحدد لإجراء المرحلة الثانية هو يوم لإجراء انتخابات مجالس الهيئات المحلية كافة وفي كافة المحافظات بالضفة الغربية وقطاع غزة، على ان يسبق هذا التاريخ اجراء حوار بين كافة القوى السياسية والمجتمعية في الضفة وغزة بشأن اجراء الانتخابات على مرحلة واحدة، وان مؤسسات المجتمع المدني ستستمر في جهودها نحو هذا الهدف.
تؤكد مؤسسات المجتمع المدني على أن الحق في الانتخاب والترشح والاقتراع هو من الحقوق الأساسية، والذي يجب ان ينال الاحترام الكامل من كافة اطراف العملية الانتخابية بما فيها القوائم المشاركة في الانتخابات سواء كانت تنتمي لأحزاب سياسية أو مستقلة، كذلك الجهات المكلفة بإنفاذ القانون، والتي يفرض عليها القانون عدم التدخل في العملية الانتخابية في كافة مراحلها، كما تؤكد على ضرورة احترام الجهات السياسية للقانون وعدم التدخل في العملية الانتخابية بأي شكل من الأشكال، وتوفير بيئة انتخابية يمارس فيها المواطنون والمواطنات كافة الحقوق والحريات المكفولة في القانون، كما تؤكد المؤسسات على حق كل مؤسسة أهلية في اختيار الطريقة التي تلائمها في متابعة ومراقبة انتخابات الهيئات المحلية في جميع مراحلها.
172 civil and human rights organizations urge the international community Condemning the racist Israeli occupation crimes against Palestinian children and demanding their release
Date posted: November 24, 2022
By civil and human rights organizations
The Israelian crimes against Palestinian children are condemned. The Israeli occupation authorities continue their violations against Palestinian children represented in arresting and abusing them during the arrest process without respecting the child’s protection treaties and the Convention on the Rights of the Child . These crimes are carried out under displacement, murder and intimidation. the highest percentage was after April/October (119), and at the end of October there are 160 children distributed in Megiddo Ofer Damon prison of them About (4) children in administrative detention and (12) children under (12) years old are also detained . According to the testimonies provided by the prisoners and the reports issued by the prisoners’ institutions, they are subjected to the cruelty to which adult prisoners are subjected to torture, unfair trials and inhumane treatment that violates their basic rights and threatens their future is lost. This is against the terms of the Child Agreement ،especially Article 16, which states:
No arbitrary or unlawful interference with a child's private life, family, home, or correspondence, or any lawful prejudice to his honor or reputation.
Which also states:
“The child has the right to be protected by law from this exposure and prejudice.” The occupation does not take into account the young age of children when they are brought to court, and a special court is not formed for them, and the age of the child is set for less than (16) years based on Military Order No. (132). this is a clear violation of Article No. (1) of the Child Convention, which defines a child as “every human being under the age of eighteen.”
The Israeli occupation authorities deprive the child prisoners of the most basic rights granted to them by international conventions that they are entitled to regardless of their religion, nationality. These include the right not to be subjected to arbitrary arrest .it includes:
- The right to know the reason for the arrest.
- The right to obtain a lawyer.
- The family’s right to know the reason for the arrest, and the location of the arrest.
- The right to appear before a judge.
- The right to object and challenge the accusation.
- The right to communicate with the outside world.
- The right to humane treatment that preserves the dignity of the detained child.
Child prisoners in Israeli prisons suffer from harsh and inhumane conditions of detention that lack international standards for children's rights. The prisoners suffer from lack of food and poor quality, lack of hygiene, and the spread of insects Child prisoners are deprived of health care and appropriate medical treatment, and painkillers are usually the treatment for various types of diseases. According to the testimonies of child prisoners, the prison administration refuses to transfer patients from them to prison clinics, and if they transfer them, they are subjected to beatings, insults, and harassment, even from doctors and nurses. Likewise, there is no permanent doctor available in the prison clinic. The occupation is still procrastinating and sometimes refusing to perform surgeries on children who need immediate operations, and this is contrary to international laws that explicitly stipulate the need for medical care for prisoners. Articles (91-92) of the Fourth Geneva Convention stated: “Every prisoner must have a clinic". An event supervised by a qualified doctor, and that the detainees receive the medical care they need, as well as the installation of any medical devices necessary to maintain their health in good condition, free of charge. Free medical examinations must be conducted for the detainees at least once a month, and their purpose is to monitor the health and psychological condition, general nutrition, and hygiene, as well as the detection of infectious diseases. Israeli prisons do not comply with this.
And if we examine the sentences issued unjustly and aggressively, we find that they are high, as one child was sentenced to life imprisonment, three children were sentenced to 15 years in prison, and four other children were sentenced between 5 and 9 years, and often the verdict is accompanied by financial fines (1000-6000 shekels).
The Israeli occupation state is the only country in the world that tries children before military courts. Based on the foregoing, we, the undersigned organizations, demand:
First: The international community to put pressure on the Israeli occupation state and oblige it to implement international agreements on prisoners and detainees, especially child prisoners, and to work for their release.
Second: All international human rights organizations, especially those working in the field of children, such as UNICEF & Dcl, to launch an international campaign to shed light on the suffering of child prisoners in Israeli prisons, and to work for their release.
The signatories to the statement
- Tunisian General Labor Union
- Coordination for Maghreb Human Rights Organizations (include 26 HR organizations from Morocco, Mauretania, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya)
- The Moroccan Coalition for Human Rights Bodies (includes 23 Moroccan human rights organizations)
- Sudanese Women's Union
- The Jordan Federation of the independent Trade Unions
- Union of Palestinian Working Women's Committees
- Tunisian Coalition Against the Death Penalty
- The Human Rights Coalition to Stop the Aggression, Lift the Siege, and Build Peace in Yemen (includes 10 organizations from ten Arab countries)
- Egyptian Coalition for Child Rights (includes 100 institutions)
- The National Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Yemen
- The Coalition for Integrity and Accountability (AMAN)/Palestine
- The Palestinian Doctors Association in Europe
- The Academic Assembly for the support of Palestine-Lebanon
- Women’s Cultural Assembly for Democracy / Iraq
- Cultural Rally for Democracy / Iraq
- NGOs Platform (Tajamoh)(includes 50 organizations)/Lebanon
- Syrian Coalition Against the Death Penalty (SCODP)
- Iraqi Coalition Against the Death Penalty
- The Iraqi Alliance for Human Rights Organizations (includes 55 organizations)
- The Arab Coalition against the Death Penalty (includes 9 coalitions in 8 countries)
- Syrian Feminist Alliance to activate Security Council Resolution 1325
- Yemeni Coalition Against the Death Penalty
- Acting for change and democracy in Algeria (ACDA)
- The Moroccan Front in Support of Palestine and Against Normalization(18 organizations(
- Ibn Rushd Association for Development and Democracy / Iraq
- The Jordan Society for Human Rights
- Bahrain Human Rights Society
- Baraem Association for Social Work/Lebanon
- The Palestinian National Heritage Society in Lebanon
- Civil Solidarity Association / Tunis
- Lebanese Palestinian Communication Association
- Tunisian Association for the Defense of Individual Liberties
- Tunisian Association of Democratic Women
- l'Association des tunisiens en France
- Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Society- Aida refugee camp-Bethlehem -Palestine
- Oak Society/Jordan
- Working Women's Association/Jordan
- Association of the International Cultural Network for Palestine
- Palestinian Diaspora Association / Sweden
- Palestinian Martyr Association / Lebanon
- Palestinian Society for Social Communication Ajyal/Lebanon
- Al-Quds Cultural and Social Association / Lebanon
- Lebanese Association for Boycott Support
- Lebanese Association of Democratic Jurists
- Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development PWWSD”
- Women’s Association for Women’s Development and Development/ Yemen
- Association for the Development Center for Palestinian Women / Palestine
- Moroccan Association in France
- Moroccan Association for Human Rights
- The Moroccan Association for Women Progressive
- Moroccan Association for the Elimination of Violence against Women
- University Cultural Forum Association / Lebanon
- Association of the Economic and Social Forum for Women / Jordan
- Mauritanian Association for the Promotion of Rights
- Mauritanian Association for Human Rights
- Arab Women Organization-Jordan
- I am a Human Soceity for Rights of Persons with Disability
- Rural Women Development Association / Palestine
- Jothor Society for Human Rights-Jordan
- Citizenship Bridges Association/Tunisia
- Rasid Association for Human Rights/ Lebanon
- Roaa Women Association-Jordan
- Women's Network Society for Women Support/ Jordan
- Chamoua Association for Equality/Morocco
- Association of the Jordanian Women's Solidarity Institute
- Orient Forum Association for Freedom and Peace
- Amman Forum for Human Rights Association/Jordan
- Women's Association for Jerusalem / Lebanon
- Protecting human rights defenders around the Arab world/ France
- The International Campaign to End the Siege on Yemen
- Boycott campaign / Palestine
- Tunisian League for Tolerance
- The Algerian League for Defense Human Rights
- Association of Women Heads of Families from Mauritania
- Iraqi League for Human Rights Trainers
- Freedom Pioneers for Integrity and Human Rights Training / Jordan
- The Jordanian Network for Human Rights (includes 11 human rights organizations)
- The Moroccan Democratic Network for Solidarity with the Peoples(includes 38 Commission)
- The Arab Human Rights Trainers Network
- Women’s Peace and Security Network (Yemen)
- Volunteers Network for Development and Human Rights/Egypt
- The Syrian National Network for Civil Peace and Community Safety.
- Moroccan space for human rights
- Filastiniyat / Palestine
- Federation of Tunisians for citizenship between the two banks
- The Syrian Federation of Human Rights Organizations and Bodies
- Moroccan Federation for Human Rights
- Committees for the Defense of Democratic Freedoms and Human Rights in Syria (LDH)
- Work committees in the camps / Lebanon
- Committee on Public Liberties and Human Rights / Palestinian Bar Association
- Syrian Medical Committee/Paris
- Arab Commission for Human Rights
- The Kurdish Committee for Human Rights in Syria (Al Rased).
- The Committee for the Respect of Freedoms and Human Rights in Tunisia
- European initiative for the rights of Palestinian prisoners / the Netherlands
- Palestinian Initiative to Deepen Global Dialogue and Democracy-MIFTAH
- Egyptian Women Lawyers Initiative
- World Council for Rights and Freedoms
- Council on International Relations / Palestine
- Lawyers for Justice /Yemen
- Lawyers Without Borders/Yemen
- Democratic School/Yemen
- International Observatory for Documentation of Human Rights Violations/ Argentina
- The Arab Observatory for Human Rights and Citizenship/ Lebanon
- French Observatory for Human Rights/Paris
- Human Rights & Democracy Media Center “SHAMS"/Palestine
- Africa Center for Studies and Media Services / Mauritania
- Bahrain Center Against Torture / Bahrain
- Al-Badeel Center for Studies and Research/Jordan
- Arab House Center for Research and Studies/Egypt
- Women’s Studies Center/ Palestine
- Center for the Defense of Freedoms and Civil Rights "Hurriyat" / Palestine
- The Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and Advocates "Musawa"
- Palestinian Centre for Peace and Democracy PCPD
- Phenix Center for Economics & Informatics Studies/Jordan
- Center for International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights/Yemen
- Jerusalem Center for Legal Aid and Human Rights/Palestine
- Strategic Initiative Center Palestine/Malaysia
- Women's Center for Legal Aid and Counselling/Palestine
- The Dutch Yemeni Center for the Defense of Rights and Freedoms
- Jothor Center for Human Rights/Jordan
- Human Rights Center for Memory and Archives/Morocco
- Center for the Protection and Freedom of Journalists/ Jordan
- Damascus Center for Theoretical and Civil Studies
- Adalah Center for Human Rights Studies/Jordan
- Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS)
- Eye of Humanity Center for Rights and Development / Yemen
- Metro Center for Defending the Rights of Journalists/ Iraq
- Scandinavian Institute of Human Rights/Geneva
- International Institute for Peace, Justice and Human Rights/Geneva
- Dialogue Forum for Development and Human Rights / Egypt
- The Palestinian Democratic Forum in Europe
- The Cultural and Legal Youth Forum at the Arab Observatory / Lebanon
- Houran Forum for Citizenship/Syria
- Economic and Social Forum for Women/Jordan
- Bahrain Forum for Human Rights
- Renewal Forum for Citizen and Democratic Thought / Tunisia
- Sisters Arab Forum for Human Rights (Yemen)
- Sudanese National Civil Forum(includes 54 civil society organizations) / Sudan
- Moroccan Forum for Truth and Equity
- Organization of Persons with Dual Disabilities/Yemen
- African Organization for Human Rights Monitoring/Morocco
- Libyan Academic Organization
- The Tunisian Organization against Torture
- Gender Studies and Information Organization / Iraq
- Organization for the Defense of Prisoners of Conscience in Syria -Rawanga
- International Organization for Human Rights and International Law / Norway
- The Arab Organization for Human Rights in Syria
- The Kurdish Organization for Human Rights in Syria (DAD)
- Egyptian Organization for Human Rights
- National Organization for Human Rights in Syria
- Yemeni Organization for Dialogue of Religions and Cultures
- Yemeni Organization for Humanitarian Action / Yemen
- Freedom House Organization to defend human rights and combat slavery and its remnants/ Mauritania
- ORGANIZATION FOR FREEDOM OF MEDIAS AND EXPRESSION OFME- HATIM / MOROCCO
- Human Rights Organization in Syria- Maf
- Desert Youth Organization for Development and Human Rights / Libya
- Freedom Martyr Nabil Barakati Organization: Memory and Wafa/ Tunisia
- Yemeni Organization for Defense Rights and Democratic Freedoms/Yemen
- Al-Haq Foundation for Freedom of Opinion and Expression and Human Rights/Egypt
- The Middle East Foundation for Development and Human Rights (Yemen)
- Addameer Foundation for Human Rights/ Palestine
- Addameer Foundation for Prisoners Care and Human Rights /Palestine
- The Arab Foundation to support Civil Society and Human Rights/Egypt
- The Egyptian Foundation for the Advancement of Childhood Conditions/Egypt
- National Foundation to Combat Human Trafficking/Yemen
- Youth Foundation for Community Development / Yemen
- Future Partners Foundation for Development and Human Rights - Yemen
- Mada Foundation for Human Rights / Iraq
- The Coordination Committee for Yemeni NGOs for Children's Rights / Yemen
- Moroccan Commission for Human Rights
- The Moroccan Commission for the Support of the Nation's Issue
Zero tolerance for violence against women ... #SolidarityAcrossBorders
Date posted: July 06, 2022
By MIFTAH
In light of the escalating rate of femicide in the Arab world, which recently claimed the lives of university student Naira Ashraf and TV broadcaster Shaima Gamal in Egypt, Iman Arsheed from Jordan, Palestinian engineer in the UAE Lubna Mansour, among many others, the Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy "MIFTAH" announces its unwavering support for all feminist movements, coalitions and activities calling for a general strike by women across the Arab world on 6/7/2022 and calls on Palestinian women to participate and express their opinion in rejecting violence committed against women.
For decades, Palestinian women have been subjected to the most heinous types of crimes and violations under Israel’s regime of settler-colonialism, occupation and apartheid. They continue to be exposed to various risks due to the ongoing Israeli policies of demolishing their homes and displacing their families, nightly home raids that terrorize them and their children, and willful killings of women at Israeli military checkpoints.
Despite this large-scale injustice inflicted daily, Palestinian women are not exempted from the patriarchal culture and its violent and oppressive manifestations that are prevalent in our society and across the world. It treats them as second-class citizens, de-prioritizes their needs and legitimizes various forms of discrimination and violence against them.
Since the beginning of 2022, six Palestinian women have been murdered inside Israel, followed by the killing of two Palestinian girls in Nablus and Tubas. The perpetrator often evades accountability, as the local society provides cover and legitimizes such crimes. Every year, Palestinian women renew their call on decision-makers to put an end to the horrific series of killings against them. However, many laws that guarantee the protection of the dignity and rights of Palestinian women and their families are still shelved by the government under the pretext of the public mood rejecting them.
Here we are today, joining our voices to all feminist voices, along with all the oppressed groups in our Arab societies, to say enough is enough. It is time for us to stand united against this great injustice, and to combat all practices that rob Arab women of the right to life, devalue them, or justify their oppression. We reject all inherited cultural traits that perpetuate patriarchal authority to control the fate and decisions of Arab women and limit their independence and permit forms of violence and discrimination.
We call upon the authorities throughout the Arab world to stop disregarding women’s issues and to take the necessary measures to protect women from violence, by enacting a system of laws that guarantees safety for women and preserves their dignity and their right to equal participation in various political, economic and social fields, and by underpinning the principles of democracy and equality, the fight against all forms of discrimination as well as the criminalization of its practices.
We also call on Palestinian women to express their rejection of all forms of crimes and violence perpetrated against them, in the manner they find appropriate, whether through demonstrations and vigils in the streets and public spaces, on social media platforms, or a strike on paid or house work, in order to demonstrate the extent of societal rejection of all discriminatory and violent practices against women and to highlight the role of women in building societies and states.
229 Arab and International Human Rights Organizations and Networks call for an end to impunity, and Demand the Opening of an International Investigation of the Crime of Executing the Journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh by the Occupation Forces
Date posted: May 14, 2022
By MIFTAH
The undersigned human rights organizations strongly condemn the assassination of the journalist, Al-Jazeera correspondent, Shireen Abu Aqleh, after she was targeted by the forces of the occupation and apartheid state with a bullet in the head, and the journalist Ali Al-Samoudi was shot in the back, while covering the storming of the Jenin refugee camp Wednesday morning, 11 5/2022, thus increasing the number of Palestinian journalists and media professionals who were killed by the occupation bullets to (83) journalists since the beginning of 1972.
The signatories affirm that the crime of the occupation that targeted the journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh is a deliberate and premeditated act and a full-fledged assassination operation. The martyr Shireen Abu Aqleh is a direct victim of organized state terrorism, which behaves with the mentality of criminal gangs. This crime came as a result of the systematic incitement against Palestinian journalists by the occupying state against them for their professional role in revealing the truth and exposing its crimes. This is in addition to the international society's silence on the crimes of the occupation committed against the Palestinian people because of their double standards.
The signatories stress that the Israeli occupation forces, by their heinous act, want to obscure the truth and cover up their heinous crimes against the Palestinian people. In addition, the occupation, by its heinous act, wants to scare and intimidate journalists to prevent the transmission of the truth to the world.
The signatories call for the opening of a neutral, independent, and transparent international investigation under the supervision of the International Criminal Court to find out the crime of targeting journalist Abu Aqleh by the occupation forces, and the need to launch an international campaign by the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, the International Federation of Journalists, international non-governmental organizations and Palestinian human rights institutions to hold Israeli war criminals accountable, to prevent impunity for perpetrators, and to bring a legal human rights case regarding this crime before the International Criminal Court, to prosecute Israeli leaders and politicians who publicly incite the killing of Palestinian civilians, including journalists. They are calling on the United Nations and the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to provide the necessary protection for journalists and media crews working in the occupied territories. Likewise, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights considers targeting journalists while covering armed conflicts and wars a war crime, similar to targeting ambulance crews.
The signatories recall that journalists and media workers enjoy special protection under the provisions of international humanitarian law, just like civilians in times of armed conflict, especially Articles (51 and 79) of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, where Article (51) paragraph (2) provides for the protection of the civilian population (the civilian population as such and the civilian population shall not be the object of attack). Article (79) of the same states that “Journalists who undertake dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict are civilians... and they must be protected in this capacity in accordance with the provisions of the conventions.” The crime committed by the occupation forces against journalist Abu Aqleh is a flagrant violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists, which the Council issued in May 2015.
No. |
Name in English |
Name in French |
Name in Arabic |
1. |
Coordination for Maghreb Human Rights Organizations (include 26 HR organizations from Morocco, Mauretania, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya) |
Coordination Maghrébine des Organisations des Droits de humains (dont 26 organisations RH du Maroc, de la Mauritanie, de l'Algérie, de la Tunisie et de la Libye |
التنسيقية المغاربية لمنظمات حقوق الإنسان(تضم 26 منظمة حقوقية في المغرب وموريتانيا والجزائر وتونس وليبيا) |
2. |
The Moroccan Coalition for Human Rights Bodies (includes 20 Moroccan human rights organizations) |
La Coalition marocaine pour les organes des droits de l'homme (comprend 20 organisations marocaines de défense des droits de l'homme) |
الإئتلاف المغربي لهيئات حقوق الإنسان (وتضم 23 هيئة) |
3. |
Union of Women's Action / Morocco |
Union Action Féminine / Maroc |
اتحاد العمل النسائي /المغرب |
4. |
Feminist Action Federation / Palestine |
Fédération d'action féministe / Palestine |
اتحاد العمل النسوي/فلسطين |
5. |
Bahrain Women's Union |
Union des femmes de Bahreïn |
الاتحاد النسائي البحريني |
6. |
The Jordan Federation of the independent Trade Unions |
La Fédération jordanienne des syndicats indépendants |
اتحاد النقابات العمالية المستقلة الأردني |
7. |
Union of Palestinian Women's Committees |
Union des comités de femmes palestiniennes |
اتحاد لجان المرأة الفلسطيمية |
8. |
Union of Palestinian Women Struggle Committees |
Comités de lutte de l'Union des femmes palestiniennes |
اتحاد لجان كفاح المرأة الفلسطيني |
9. |
Tunisian Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty |
Coalition tunisienne pour l'abolition de la peine de mort |
الائتلاف التونسي لإلغاء عقوبة الإعدام |
10. |
The Human Rights Coalition to Stop the Aggression, Lift the Siege, and Build Peace in Yemen (includes 10 organizations from ten Arab countries) |
La Coalition des droits de l'homme pour arrêter l'agression, lever le siège et construire la paix au Yémen (comprend 10 organisations de dix pays arabes) |
الإئتلاف الحقوقي لوقف العدوان ورفع الحصار وبناء السلام في اليمن(يضم 10 منظمات من عشر بلدان عربية) |
11. |
Egyptian Coalition for Child Rights (includes 180 institutions) |
Coalition égyptienne pour les droits de l'enfant (comprend 180 institutions) |
الإئتلاف المصري لحقوق الطفل(يضم 100 مؤسسة) |
12. |
The National Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Yemen |
La Coalition nationale des organisations de la société civile au Yémen |
الائتلاف الوطني لمنظمات المجتمع المدني باليمن |
13. |
Coalition for Integrity and Accountability Aman/Palestine |
Coalition pour l'intégrité et la responsabilité Aman/Palestine |
الإئتلاف من أجل النزاهة والمساءلة أمان/فلسطين |
14. |
The Academic Assembly for the support of Palestine-Lebanon |
L'Assemblée académique pour le soutien de la Palestine-Liban |
التجمع الأكاديمي في لبنان لدعم فلسطين/لبنان |
15. |
Women’s Cultural Assembly for Democracy / Iraq |
Assemblée culturelle des femmes pour la démocratie / Iraq |
التجمع الثقافي النسائي من أجل الديمقراطية/العراق |
16. |
Cultural Rally for Democracy / Iraq |
Rassemblement culturel pour la démocratie / Irak |
التجمع الثقافي من أجل الديمقراطية/العراق |
17. |
Jordan Coalition Against the Death Penalty |
Coalition jordanienne contre la peine de mort |
التحالف الأردني لمناهضة عقوبة الإعدام |
18. |
The International Alliance for Peace and Human Rights in the Middle East and Homeland/Iraq |
L'Alliance internationale pour la paix et les droits de l'homme au Moyen-Orient et dans la patrie/Ira |
التحالف الدولي للسلام وحقوق الإنسان في الشرق الأوسط والوطن /العراق |
19. |
Syrian Coalition Against the Death Penalty (SCODP) |
Coalition syrienne contre la peine de mort (SCODP) |
التحالف السوري لمناهضة عقوبة الإعدام(SCODP) |
20. |
Iraqi Coalition Against the Death Penalty |
Coalition irakienne contre la peine de mort |
التحالف العراقي لمناهضة عقوبة الإعدام |
21. |
The Iraqi Alliance for Human Rights Organizations (includes 55 organizations) |
L'Alliance irakienne pour les organisations des droits de l'homme (comprend 55 organisations) |
التحالف العراقي لمنظمات حقوق الإنسان (يضم 55 منظمة حقوقية) |
22. |
The Arab Coalition against the Death Penalty(includes 9 coalitions in 8 countries) |
La Coalition arabe contre la peine de mort (comprend 9 coalitions dans 8 pays) |
التحالف العربي لمناهضة عقوبة الإعدام(يضم 9 تحالفات في 8 دول عربية) |
23. |
The Egyptian Coalition for Human Rights and Development (includes 550 organizations)/Egypt |
La Coalition égyptienne pour les droits de l'homme et le développement (comprend 550 organisations)/ةgypte |
التحالف المصري لحقوق الإنسان والتنمية(يضم 550 جمعية)/مصر |
24. |
Syrian Feminist Alliance to activate Security Council Resolution 1325 |
L'Alliance féministe syrienne va activer la résolution 1325 du Conseil de sécurité |
التحالف النسوي السوري لتفعيل قرار مجلس الأمن 1325 |
25. |
Yemeni Coalition Against the Death Penalty |
Coalition yéménite contre la peine de تmort |
التحالف اليمني لمناهضة عقوبة الإعدام |
26. |
The Moroccan Front in Support of Palestine and Against Normalization |
Le Front marocain de soutien à la Palestine et contre la normalisation |
الجبهة المغربية لدعم فلسطين وضد التطبيع |
27. |
Ibn Rushd Association for Development and Democracy / Iraq |
Association Ibn Rushd pour le développement et la démocratie / Irak |
جمعية ابن رشد للتنمية والديمقراطية/العراق |
28. |
The Jordan Society for Human Rights |
La Société jordanienne des droits de l'homme |
الجمعية الأردنية لحقوق الإنسان |
29. |
Palestinian Medical Relief Society |
Société palestinienne de secours médical |
جمعية الإغاثة الطبية الفلسطينيه |
30. |
Baraem Association for Social Work/Lebanon |
Association Baraem pour le travail social/Liban |
جمعية البراعم للعمل الخيري والاجتماعي/لبنان |
31. |
Civil Solidarity Association / Tunis |
Association solidarité laïque Tunisie/ Tunis |
جمعية التضامن المدني-المنوسط تونس |
32. |
Association for Development and Strategic Studies in Medenine, Tunisia |
Association pour le développement et les études stratégiques à Médenine, Tunisie |
جمعية التنمية والدراسات الإستراتيجية بمدنين تونس |
33. |
Tunisian Association for Cultural Action ATAC |
Association Tunisienne de l’Action Culturelle |
الجمعية التونسية للحراك الثقافي |
34. |
Tunisian Association of Democratic Women |
Association Tunisienne des Femmes Démocrates |
الجمعية التونسية للنساء الديمقراطيات |
35. |
Jordanian Jurists Association / Jordan |
Association des juristes jordaniens / Jordanie |
جمعية الحقوقيين الأردنيين |
36. |
Association palestinienne d'études sur le développement |
Association palestinienne d'études sur le développement |
جمعية الدراسات التنموية الفلسطينية |
37. |
The Palestinian Developmental Feminist Studies Association |
Association palestinienne d'études féministes pour le développement |
جمعية الدراسات النسوية التنموية الفلسطينية |
38. |
Association pour la Défense des Droits de l'Homme au Maroc (ASDHOM) |
Association pour la Défense des Droits de l'Homme au Maroc (ASDHOM) |
جمعية الدفاع عن حقوق الإنسان بالمغرب(ASDHOM) |
39. |
Association des Pionniers pour la Culture et les Arts / Palestine |
Association des Pionniers pour la Culture et les Arts / Palestine |
جمعية الرواد للثقافة والفنون / فلسطين |
40. |
Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Society/Palestine |
Société culturelle et artistique Alrowwad / Palestine
|
جمعية الرواد للثقافة والفنون /فلسطين |
41. |
Working Women's Association/Jordan |
Association des femmes travailleuses/Jordanie |
جمعية السيدات العاملات/الأردن
|
42. |
Association of the International Cultural Network for Palestine |
Association du Réseau Culturel International pour la Palestine |
جمعية الشبكة الثقافية الدولية من أجل فلسطين/لبنان |
43. |
ADDAMEER-Prisoner support and human rights association/Palestine |
ADDAMEER-Association de soutien aux prisonniers et des droits humains/Palestine |
جمعية الضمير لرعاية الأسير وحقوق الإنسان/ فلسطين |
44. |
Women's Action Society for the Rehabilitation of Women and child/ Palestine |
Société d'action des femmes pour la réhabilitation des femmes et des enfants / Palestine |
جمعية العمل النسائي لتأهيل المرأة والطفل /فلسطين |
45. |
Lebanese Association of Democratic Jurists |
Association libanaise des juristes démocrates |
الجمعية اللبنانية للحقوقيين الديمقراطيين |
46. |
Société libyenne pour les droits de l'homme et la recherche scientifique/Libye |
Société libyenne pour les droits de l'homme et la recherche scientifique/Libye |
الجمعية الليبية لحقوق الإنسان والبحث العلمي/ليبيا |
47. |
Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development PWWSD”
|
Association des travailleuses palestiniennes pour le développement
|
جمعية المرأة العاملة الفلسطينية للتنمية/فلسطين
|
48. |
Women’s Association for Women’s Development and Development/ Yemen |
Association des femmes pour le développement et le développement des femmes/Yémen |
جمعية المرأة للتنمية والتطوير النسوي/ اليمن |
49. |
Egyptian Association for Scientific and Technology Development |
Association égyptienne pour le développement scientifique et technologique |
الجمعية المصرية للتنمية العلمية والتكنولوجيا |
50. |
Moroccan Association for Human Rights |
Association Marocaine des Droits de l'Homme |
الجمعية المغربية لحقوق الإنسان |
51. |
The Moroccan Association for Women Progressive |
L'Association Marocaine des Femmes Progressistes |
الجمعية المغربية للنساء التقدميات |
52. |
Association marocaine pour l'élimination des violences faites aux femmes/Maroc |
Association marocaine pour l'élimination des violences faites aux femmes/Maroc |
الجمعية المغربية لمناهضة العنف ضد النساء/المغرب |
53. |
Association of the Economic and Social Forum for Women / Jordan |
Association du Forum économique et social pour les femmes / Jordanie |
جمعية المنتدى الاقتصادي الاجتماعي للنساء/ الأردن |
54. |
Society of Arab Agricultural Engineers / Palestine |
Société des ingénieurs agronomes arabes / Palestine |
جمعية المهندسين الزراعيين العرب / فلسطين |
55. |
Association mauritanienne des droits de l'homme |
Association mauritanienne des droits de l'homme |
الجمعية الموريتانية لحقوق الإنسان |
56. |
ALMizan Association for Development and Human Rights /Iraq |
Association ALMizan pour le développement et droits de l'homme / Irak |
جمعية الميزان للتنمية وحقوق الإنسان في العراق |
57. |
An-Najah Women's Association / Yemen |
Association des femmes d'An-Najah / Yémen |
جمعية النجاح النسوية/ اليمن |
58. |
Social Relief Society for Women Development / Palestine |
Société de Secours Social pour le Développement des Femmes / Palestine |
جمعية النجدة الاجتماعية لتنمية المرأة/فلسطين |
59. |
Al Najda Association for the Development of Palestinian Women - West Bank/Palestine |
Union générale des femmes palestiniennes/ Palestine |
جمعية النجدة لتنمية المرأة الفلسطينية- الضفة الغربية/فلسطين |
60. |
Arab Women Organization-Jordan |
Organisation des femmes arabes-Jordanie |
جمعية النساء العربيات/الأردن |
61. |
Tattoo Association/Tunisia |
Association de tatouage/Tunisie |
جمعية الوشم/تونس |
62. |
The National Association for the Defense of Rights and Freedoms / Egypt |
L'Association Nationale de Défense des Droits et Libertés / Egypte |
الجمعية الوطنية للدفاع عن الحقوق والحريات / مصر |
63. |
Ana Insan Association for the Rights of the Disabled/ Jordan |
Association Ana Insan pour les droits des personnes handicapées / Jordanie |
جمعية أنا إنسان لحقوق المعوقين/ الأردن |
64. |
Beyti Association/Lebanon |
Association Beyti/Liban |
جمعية بيتي/لبنان |
65. |
Impact Association for Human Rights/Jordan |
Impact Association for Human Rights/Jordanie |
جمعية تأثير لحقوق الإنسان/الأردن |
66. |
Association to enable independent living/Lebanon |
Association pour permettre la vie autonome/Liban |
جمعية تمكين العيش باستقلال/لبنان |
67. |
Women's Media Development Foundation - Tam/Palestin |
Fondation pour le développement des médias des femmes - Tam/Palestine |
جمعية تنمية إعلام المرأة-تام/فلسطين |
68. |
Association for the Development of People with Special Needs / Yemen |
Association pour le développement des personnes ayant des besoins spéciaux / Yémen |
جمعية تنمية ذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة / اليمن |
69. |
Jothor Society for Human Rights-Jordan |
Société Jothor pour les droits de l'homme-Jordanie |
جمعية جذور لحقوق المواطن/ الأردن |
70. |
Hemaya Association for Human Rights and Development/Egypt |
Association Hemaya pour les droits humains et le développement/ةgypte |
جمعية حماية لحقوق الإنسان والتنمية/مصر |
71. |
Jose Marti Association for Arab-Latin American Solidarity |
Association José Marti pour la solidarité arabo-latino-américaine |
جمعية خوسيه مارتي للتضامن العربي الامريكي اللاتيني |
72. |
Rachel Corrie Association for Solidarity Among Peoples |
Association Rachel Corrie pour la solidarité entre les peuples |
جمعية راشل كوري للتضامن بين الشعوب |
73. |
Rasid Association for Human Rights/ Lebanon |
Association Rasid pour les droits de l'homme / Liban |
جمعية راصد لحقوق الإنسان/لبنان |
74. |
Roaa Women Association-Jordan |
Association des femmes Roaa-Jordanie |
جمعية رؤى نسائية/ الأردن |
75. |
Women's Network Society for Women Support/ Jordan |
Réseau de femmes pour le soutien aux femmes/Jordanie |
جمعية شبكة المرأة لدعم المرأة/ الأردن |
76. |
Candles Association for Equality/Morocco |
Association Bougiés pour l'Egalité/Maroc |
جمعية شموع للمساواة/المغرب |
77. |
Aisha Association for the Protection of Women and Children Gaza / Palestine |
Association Aisha pour la protection des femmes et des enfants Gaza / Palestine |
جمعية عايشة لحماية المرأة والطفل غزة / فلسطين |
78. |
Kemet Association for Human Development/Egypt |
Association Kemet pour le développement humain/ةgypte |
جمعية كيميت للتنمية الإنسانية/مصر |
79. |
Mothers School Association /Palestine |
Association Ecole des Mères/ Palestine |
جمعية مدرسة الأمهات/فلسطين |
80. |
Ma'an Association The Forum of Arab Women in the Negev/Palestine |
Association Ma'an Le Forum des Femmes Arabes du Néguev/Palestine |
جمعية معاَ منتدى النساء العربيات في النقب/فلسطين |
81. |
Association of the Jordanian Women's Solidarity Institute |
Association de l'Institut de solidarité des femmes jordaniennes |
جمعية معهد تضامن النساء الأردني |
82. |
Amman Society Forum for Human Rights |
Forum de la société d'Amman pour les droits de l'homme |
جمعية منتدى عمان لحقوق الإنسان/ الأردن |
83. |
Women Against Violence Association/ Palestine |
Association des femmes contre la violence / Palestine |
جمعية نساء ضد العنف/فلسطين |
84. |
Tunisia's Nachas Association |
Association des Nachas de Tunisie |
جمعية نشاز تونس |
85. |
Tattoo Association/Tunisia |
Association de tatouage/Tunisie |
جمعية وشم/تونس |
86. |
Vigil for Democracy and the Civil State / Tunisia |
Veillée pour la Démocratie et l'Etat Civil / Tunisie |
جمعية يقظة من أجل الديمقراطية والدولة المدنية /تونس |
87. |
The global movement to defend children |
Le mouvement mondial de défense des enfants |
الحركة العالمية للدفاع عن الأطفال |
88. |
Protection of human rights defenders in the Arab world (France) |
Protection des défenseurs des droits de l'homme dans le monde arabe (France) |
حماية المدافعين عن حقوق الإنسان في العالم العربي (فرنسا) |
89. |
Protecting human rights defenders around the Arab world/ France |
Protéger les défenseurs des droits humains dans le monde/ France |
حماية المدافعين عن حقوق الإنسان في العالم العربي/ فرنسا |
90. |
The Jordanian Academic Campaign for Solidarity with the Rights of the Palestinian People |
La campagne universitaire jordanienne pour la solidarité avec les droits du peuple palestinien |
الحملة الاكاديمية الأردنية للتضامن مع حقوق الشعب الفلسطيني |
91. |
The International Campaign to End the Siege on Yemen |
La Campagne internationale pour mettre fin au siège du Yémen |
الحملة الدولية لفك الحصار عن اليمن |
92. |
Tunisian League for Tolerance |
Ligue tunisienne pour la tolérance |
الرابطة التونسية للتسامح |
93. |
The Tunisian League for the Defense of Human Rights |
La Ligue tunisienne de défense des droits de l'homme |
الرابطة التونسية للدفاع عن حقوق الإنسان |
94. |
The Algerian League for Defense Human Rights |
La Ligue algérienne de défense des droits de l'homme |
الرابطة الجزائرية للدفاع عن حقوق الإنسان |
95. |
Free Tunisian Writers Association |
Association libre des écrivains tunisiens |
رابطة الكتاب التونسيين الأحرار |
96. |
Association of Women Heads of Families from Mauritania |
Association des femmes chefs de famille de Mauritanie |
رابطة النساء معيلات الأسر من موريتانيا |
97. |
Iraqi League for Human Rights Trainers |
Irakien Ligue des formateurs des droits de l'homme |
رابطة مدربي حقوق الإنسان العراقية |
98. |
Rashid For Integrity and Transparency/ Jordan |
Rashid pour l'intégrité et la transparence/ Jordanie |
رشيد للنزاهة والشفافية/ الأردن |
99. |
Freedom Pioneers for Integrity and Human Rights Training / Jordan |
Pionniers de la liberté pour la formation à l'intégrité et aux droits de l'homme / Jordanie |
رواد الحرية للتدريب على النزاهة وحقوق الإنسان/ الأردن |
100. |
The Jordanian Network for Human Rights (includes 11 human rights organizations) |
Le Réseau jordanien pour les droits de l'homme (comprend 11 organisations de défense des droits de l'homme) |
الشبكة الأردنية لحقوق الإنسان (تضم 11 منظمات حقوقية) |
101. |
The Moroccan Democratic Network for Solidarity with the Peoples |
Le Réseau Démocratique Marocain de Solidarité avec les Peuples |
الشبكة الديمقراطية المغربية للتضامن مع الشعوب |
102. |
Global Network for the Defense of the Palestinian People |
Réseau mondial pour la défense du peuple palestinien |
الشبكة العالمية للدفاع عن الشعب الفلسطيني |
103. |
The Arab Human Rights Trainers Network |
Le réseau arabe des formateurs des droits de l'homme |
الشبكة العربية لمدربي حقوق الإنسان |
104. |
Women’s Peace and Security Network (Yemen) |
Réseau des femmes pour la paix et la sécurité (Yémen) |
شبكة المرأة للسلام والأمن/ اليمن |
105. |
Iraqi Women's Network |
Réseau des femmes irakiennes |
شبكة النساء العراقيات |
106. |
The Syrian National Network for Civil Peace and Community Safety. |
Le Réseau national syrien pour la paix civile et la sécurité communautaire. |
الشبكة الوطنية السورية للسلم الأهلي والأمان المجتمعي |
107. |
Salma Network -Feminist Organization against violence in the Arab world |
Réseau Salma - Organisation féministe contre la violence dans le monde arabe |
شبكة سلمى الاقليمية لمناهضة العنف ضد النساءفي المنطقة العربية |
108. |
Dignity Network |
Réseau Dignité |
شبكة كرامة |
109. |
Oklam newspaper, Mauritania |
Journal Oklam, Mauritanie |
صحيفة أقلام، موريتانيا |
110. |
Women's Affairs Staff/Palestine |
Personnel des affaires féminines/Palestine |
طاقم شؤون المرأة/فلسطين |
111. |
Palestinian Women Against Violence-Spada/Palestine |
Femmes palestiniennes contre la violence-Spada/Palestine |
فلسطينيات ضد العنف-فضا/فلسطين |
112. |
Feminist organizing entity/Palestine |
Entité organisatrice féministe/Palestine |
كيان تنظيم نسوي/فلسطين |
113. |
Committees for the Defense of Democratic Freedoms and Human Rights in Syria (LDH) |
Commissions pour la défense des libertés démocratiques et des droits de l'homme en Syrie (LDH) |
لجان الدفاع عن حقوق الإنسان والحريات الديمقراطية في سورية |
114. |
Committee for the Defense of Palestinian Human Rights Organizations in Europe |
Comité de Défense des Organisations Palestiniennes des Droits de l'Homme en Europe |
لجنة الدفاع عن منظمات الدفاع عن حقوق الإنسان الفلسطينية في أوروبا |
115. |
The International Committee for Solidarity with Prisoners in Israeli Prisons |
Le Comité international de solidarité avec les détenus dans les prisons israéliennes |
اللجنة الدولية للتضامن مع الأسرى في السجون الإسرائيلية |
116. |
Syrian Medical Committee/Paris |
Commission médicale syrienne/Paris |
اللجنة الطبية السورية/باريس |
117. |
Arab Commission for Human Rights |
Commission Arabe des Droits Humains |
اللجنة العربية لحقوق الإنسان/باريس |
118. |
The Kurdish Committee for Human Rights in Syria (Al Rased). |
Le Comité kurde des droits de l'homme en Syrie (A Rasid). |
اللجنة الكردية لحقوق الإنسان في سوريا (الراصد) |
119. |
The Vigilance Committee for Democracy in Tunisia / Belgium |
Le Comité de Vigilance pour la Démocratie en Tunisie - Belgique
|
لجنة اليقظة من أجل الديمقراطية في تونس ببلجيكا |
120. |
The Committee for the Respect of Human Rights in Tunisia |
Le Comité pour le respect des droits de l'homme en Tunisie |
اللجنة من أجل احترام حقوق الإنسان في تونس |
121. |
The Palestinian Initiative to Deepen Global Dialogue and Democracy - Muftah/Palestine |
L'initiative palestinienne pour approfondir le dialogue mondial et la démocratie - Muftah/Palestine |
المبادرة الفلسطينية لتعميق الحوار العالمي والديمقراطية-مفتاح/فلسطين |
122. |
The International Council Supporting Fair Trials and Human Rights (ICSFT) |
Le Conseil international de soutien aux procès équitables et aux droits de l'homme (ICSFT) |
المجلس الدولي لدعم المحاكمات العادلة وحقوق الإنسان ICSFT |
123. |
International Council for Relief and Development |
Conseil international de secours et de développement |
المجلس الدولي للاغاثة والتنمية |
124. |
Yemeni Council for Rights and Freedoms / Yemen |
Conseil yéménite des droits et libertés / Yémen |
المجلس العالمي للحقوق والحريات/اليمن |
125. |
Norwegian Council for Tolerance/Kingdom of Norway |
Conseil norvégien pour la tolérance/Royaume de Norvège |
المجلس النرويجي للتسامح/مملكة النرويج |
126. |
Lebanese Council of Women (includes 150 organization) |
Conseil libanais des femmes (comprend 150 organisations) |
المجلس النسائي اللبناني( يضم 150 منظمة) |
127. |
Lawyers for Justice /Yemen |
Avocats pour la justice /Yémen |
محامو العدالة مؤسسة تعنى بالحقوق والحريات/ اليمن |
128. |
Democratic School/Yemen |
ةcole démocratique/Yémen |
المدرسة الديمقراطية/اليمن |
129. |
International Observatory for Documentation of Human Rights Violations/ Argentina |
Observatoire international pour la documentation des violations des droits de l'homme / Argentine |
المرصد الدولي لتوثيق انتهاكات حقوق الإنسان/الأرجنتين |
130. |
Arab World Observatory for Democracy and Elections |
Observatoire du monde arabe pour la démocratie et les élections |
مرصد العالم العربي للديمقراطية والانتخابات(المرصد) |
131. |
Teacher Creativity Center/Palestine |
Centre de créativité des enseignants/Palestine |
مركز إبداع المعلم/فلسطين |
132. |
Human Rights & Democracy Media Center “SHAMS"/Palestine |
Centre des médias des droits de l'homme et de la démocratie «SHAL'Alliance |
مركز إعلام حقوق الإنسان والديمقراطية "شمس"/فلسطين |
133. |
Center for Research, Legal Consultation and Protection for Women – Gaza / Palestine |
Centre de Recherche, de Consultation Juridique et de Protection des Femmes – Gaza / Palestine |
مركز الأبحاث والاستشارات القانونية والحماية للمرأة-غزة/ فلسطين |
134. |
Community Media Center/Palestine |
Centre des médias communautaires/Palestine |
مركز الإعلام المجتمعي/فلسطين |
135. |
Arab Women Media Center / Jordan |
Centre des médias des femmes arabes / Jordanie |
مركز الإعلاميات العربيات/الأردن |
136. |
Al-Badeel Center for Studies and Research/Jordan |
Centre d'études et de recherche Al-Badeel/Jordanie |
مركز البديل للدراسات والأبحاث/الأردن |
137. |
Khiam Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture-Lebanon |
Khiam Centre de réadaptation pour les victimes de la torture-Liban |
مركز الخيام لتأهيل ضحايا التعذيب/لبنان |
138. |
Women’s Studies Center/ Palestine |
Centre d'études sur les femmes/Palestine |
مركز الدراسات النسوية/ فلسطين
|
139. |
International Center for the Promotion of Rights and Freedoms – Swiss Association |
Centre International pour la Promotion des Droits et Libertés – Association Suisse |
المركز الدولي لدعم الحقوق والحريات- جمعية سويسرية |
140. |
Al Saraya Community Service Center/ Palestine |
Centre de services communautaires Al Saraya / Palestine |
مركز السرايا لخدمة المجتمع/فلسطين |
141. |
Childhood Center, Nazareth Nurseries Foundation/Palestine |
Centre de la petite enfance, Nazareth Nurseries Foundation/Palestine |
مركز الطفولة مؤسسة حضانات الناصرة/فلسطين |
142. |
The Arab European Center for Human Rights and International Law / Norway |
Centre arabe européen pour les droits de l'homme et le droit international / Norvège |
المركز العربي الأوروبي لحقوق الإنسان والقانون الدولي/ النرويج |
143. |
The Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Legal Profession and the Judiciary "Musawa" |
Le Centre Palestinien pour l'Indépendance de la Profession Juridique et de la Magistrature "Musawa" |
المركز الفلسطيني لاستقلال المحاماة والقضاء "مساواة" |
144. |
Palestinian Centre for Peace and Democracy PCPD
|
Centre palestinien pour les questions de paix et de démocratie |
المركز الفلسطيني لقضايا السلام والديمقراطية/فلسطين |
145. |
Center for International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights/Yemen |
Centre pour le droit international humanitaire et les droits de l'homme/Yémen |
مركز القانون الدولي الإنساني وحقوق الإنسان/اليمن |
146. |
Jerusalem Center for Legal Aid and Human Rights/Palestine |
Centre d'aide juridique et des droits de l'homme de Jérusalem/Palestine |
مركز القدس للمساعدة القانونية وحقوق الإنسان/فلسطين |
147. |
Al-Kalima Center for Human Rights in Cairo/Egypt |
Centre Al-Kalima pour les droits de l'homme au Caire/ةgypte |
مركز الكلمة لحقوق الإنسان بالقاهرة/مصر |
148. |
El Mahrousa Center for Development and Participation / Egypt |
Centre El Mahrousa pour le développement et la participation / ةgypte |
مركز المحروسة للتنمية والمشاركة/مصر |
149. |
Women's Center for Legal Aid and Counselling/Palestine |
Centre d'aide et de conseil juridiques pour femmes/Palestine |
مركز المرأة للإرشاد القانوني والاجتماعي/ فلسطين |
150. |
Excellence Center for Development Consulting/Bahrain |
Centre d'excellence pour le conseil en développement / Bahreïn |
مركز تفوق الاستشاري للتنمية/البحرين |
151. |
Jothor Center for Human Rights/Jordan |
Centre Jothor pour les droits de l'homme/ Jordanie |
مركز جذور لحقوق الإنسان/الأردن |
152. |
Hurriyat Center/Palestine |
Hurriyat Centre/Palestine |
مركز حريات/فلسطين |
153. |
Center for the Protection and Freedom of Journalists/ Jordan |
Centre pour la protection et la liberté des journalistes/Jordanie |
مركز حماية وحرية الصحفيين/ الأردن |
154. |
Center for Gender Studies - Gender / Sudan |
Centre d'études sur le genre - Genre / Soudan |
مركز دراسات النوع الاجتماعي-الجندر /السودان |
155. |
Damascus Center for Theoretical and Civil Studies |
Centre de Damas pour les études théoriques et civiles |
مركز دمشق للدراسات النظرية والحقوقية المدنية |
156. |
Women's Affairs Center/Palestine |
Centre des affaires féminines/Palestine |
مركز شؤون المرأة/فلسطين |
157. |
Adalah Center for Human Rights Studies/Jordan |
Adalah Center for Human Rights Studies/Jordanie |
مركز عدالة لدراسات حقوق الإنسان/الأردن |
158. |
Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS) |
Amman Centre d'études sur les droits de l'homme (ACHRS) |
مركز عمان لدراسات حقوق الإنسان/الأردن |
159. |
Ain Center for Human Rights/Yemen |
Ain Centre for Human Rights/Yémen |
مركز عين لحقوق الإنسان/اليمن |
160. |
Metro Center for Defending the Rights of Journalists/ Iraq |
Centre métropolitain de défense des droits des journalistes/ Irak |
مركز مترو للدفاع عن حقوق الصحفيين/ العراق |
161. |
Wasel Center for Youth Development / Palestine |
Centre Wasel pour le développement des jeunes / Palestine |
مركز واصل لتنمية الشباب / فلسطين |
162. |
Applied Research Institute Jerusalem - (ARIJ) |
Institut de recherche appliquée de Jérusalem - (ARIJ) |
معهد الأبحاث التطبيقية القدس – (أريج) |
163. |
Scandinavian Institute of Human Rights/Geneva |
Institut Scandinave des Droits de l'Homme/Genève |
المعهد الاسكندنافي لحقوق الإنسان/جنيف |
164. |
International Institute for Peace, Justice and Human Rights/Geneva |
Institut international pour la paix, la justice et les droits de l'homme/Genève |
المعهد الدولي للسلام والعدالة وحقوق الإنسان/ جنيف |
165. |
South/Palestine Female Journalists Forum |
Forum des femmes journalistes du Sud/Palestine |
ملتقى اعلاميات الجنوب/فلسطين |
166. |
Humanitarian Forum for Women's Rights/ Jordan |
Forum humanitaire pour les droits des femmes/ Jordanie |
الملتقى الإنساني لحقوق المرأة/ الأردن |
167. |
Dialogue Forum for Development and Human Rights / Egypt |
Forum de dialogue pour le développement et les droits de l'homme / Egypte |
ملتقى الحوار للتنمية وحقوق الإنسان/مصر |
168. |
The National Forum for the Defense of Public Freedoms and Human Rights/ Jordan |
Le Forum National pour la Défense des Libertés Publiques et des Droits Humains/ Jordanie |
الملتقى الوطني للدفاع عن الحريات العامة وحقوق الإنسان/ الأردن |
169. |
Houran Forum for Citizenship/Syria |
Forum de Houran pour la citoyenneté/Syrie |
ملتقى حوران للمواطنة/سوريا |
170. |
Libyan Women's Platform for Peace/Libya |
Plateforme des femmes libyennes pour la paix/Libye |
منبر المرأة الليبية من أجل السلام/ليبيا |
171. |
Consultation Forum for Female Members Takamol/Palestine |
Forum de consultation pour les membres féminins Takamol/Palestine |
المنتدى الاستشاري للعضوات تكامل/فلسطين |
172. |
Media Forum in Lebanon |
Forum des médias au Liban |
منتدى الإعلام في لبنان |
173. |
Bahrain Forum for Human Rights |
Forum de Bahreïn pour les droits de l'homme |
منتدى البحرين لحقوق الإنسان |
174. |
Political and Social Youth Forum/Palestine |
Forum politique et social de la jeunesse/Palestine |
منتدى الشباب السياسية والاجتماعي/فلسطين |
175. |
Sisters Arab Forum for Human Rights (Yemen) |
Forum Soeurs arabe des droits de l'homme (Yémen) |
منتدى الشقائق العربي لحقوق الإنسان/ اليمن |
176. |
Sudanese National Civil Forum(includes 54 civil society organizations) / Sudan |
Le Forum civil au Soudan (qui comprend 54 organisations de la société civile) / Soudan |
المنتدى المدني القومي في السودان (يضم 54 منظمة مجتمع مدني) |
177. |
Moroccan Forum for Truth and Equity |
Forum marocain pour la vérité et l'équité |
المنتدى المغربي من أجل الحقيقة والإنصاف |
178. |
African Organization for Human Rights Monitoring/Morocco |
Organisation Africaine de Surveillance des Droits de l'Homme/Maroc |
المنظمة الافريقية لمراقبة حقوق الانسان/ المغرب |
179. |
The Tunisian Organization against Torture |
Organisation tunisienne contre la torture |
المنظمة التونسية لمناهضة التعذيب |
180. |
Gender Studies and Information Organization / Iraq |
Organisation d'études et d'information sur le genre / Irak |
منظمة الدراسات والمعلومات الجندرية/العراق |
181. |
Organization for Defending Victims of Violation (ODVV)/Geneva |
Organisation de Défense des Victimes de Violation (ODVV)/Genève |
منظمة الدفاع عن حقوق ضحايا العنف/جنيف |
182. |
Organization for the Defense of Prisoners of Conscience in Syria - Rawanga |
Organisation pour la défense des prisonniers d'opinion en Syrie - Rawanga |
منظمة الدفاع عن معتقلي الرأي في سورية-روانكة |
183. |
The Arab Organization for Human Rights in Syria |
L'Organisation arabe des droits de l'homme en Syrie |
المنظمة العربية لحقوق الإنسان في سورية |
184. |
The Kurdish Organization for Human Rights in Syria (DAD) |
L'Organisation kurde pour les droits de l'homme en Syrie (DAD) |
المنظمة الكردية لحقوق الإنسان في سورية( DAD ) |
185. |
Social Initiative Organization / Syria |
Organisation d'Initiative Sociale / Syrie |
منظمة المبادرة الاجتماعية/سورية |
186. |
ARDO Aid and Development Organization/Yemen |
ARDO Organisation d'aide et de développement/Yémen |
منظمة المساعدات والتنمية ARDO /اليمن |
187. |
Egyptian Organization for Human Rights |
Organisation égyptienne des droits de l'homme
|
المنظمة المصرية لحقوق الإنسان |
188. |
Moroccan Organization for Human Rights |
Organisation Marocaine des Droits de l'Homme |
المنظمة المغربية لحقوق الإنسان |
189. |
Al Mouel Organization for Rights and Development / Yemen |
Organisation Al Mouel pour les Droits et le Développement / YémenLe Forum parallèle égyptien / ةtats-Unis |
منظمة الموئل للحقوق والتنمية/ اليمن |
190. |
National Organization of Amazonas / Libya |
Organisation nationale de l'Amazonas / Libye |
المنظمة الوطنية لأمازونات / ليبيا |
191. |
National Organization for Human Rights in Syria |
Organisation nationale des droits de l'homme en Syrie |
المنظمة الوطنية لحقوق الإنسان في سورية |
192. |
Yemeni Organization for Dialogue of Religions and Cultures |
Organisation yéménite pour le dialogue des religions et des cultures |
المنظمة اليمنية لحوار الأديان والثقافات |
193. |
Yemeni Organization for Humanitarian Action / Yemen |
Organisation yéménite pour l'action humanitaire / Yémen |
المنظمة اليمنية للعمل الإنساني/ اليمن |
194. |
Freedom House Organization to defend human rights and combat slavery and its remnants/ Mauritania |
Freedom House Organisation pour défendre les droits humains et combattre l'esclavage et ses vestiges/ Mauritanieا |
منظمة بيت الحرية للدفاع عن حقوق الإنسان ومحاربة العبودية ومخلفاتها/ موريتانيا |
195. |
Human Rights Organization in Syria- Maf |
Organisation des droits de l'homme en Syrie - Maf |
منظمة حقوق الانسان في سوريا- ماف |
196. |
Organization for the Protection of Law and the Promotion of Peace / Yemen |
Organisation pour la protection du droit et la promotion de la paix / Yémen |
منظمة حماية القانون وتعزيز السلم/ اليمن |
197. |
Sawa Center for Human Rights / Iraq |
Centre Sawa pour les droits de l'homme / Irak |
منظمة ساوة لحقوق الإنسان /العراق |
198. |
Desert Youth Organization for Development and Human Rights / Libya |
Organisation des jeunes du désert pour le développement et les droits de l'homme / Libye |
منظمة شباب الصحراء للتنمية وحقوق الإنسان/ليبيا |
199. |
KAFA Violence and Exploitation Organization/Lebanon |
KAFA Violence and Exploitation Organization/Liban |
منظمة كفى عنف واستغلال/لبنان |
200. |
Humanity Relief and Development Organization / Yemen |
Humanity Relief and Development Organization / Yémen |
منظمة هيومنتي للإغاثة والتنمية / اليمن |
201. |
Yemeni Organization for Defense Rights and Democratic Freedoms/Yemen |
Organisation yéménite pour les droits de la défense et les libertés démocratiques |
منظمة يمن للدفاع عن الحقوق والحريات الديمقراطية/اليمن |
202. |
Al-Bashaer Foundation for the Development of Women and Children/Yemen |
Fondation Al-Bashaer pour le développement des femmes et des enfants/Yémen |
مؤسسة البشائر لتنمية المرآة والطفل/ اليمن |
203. |
Al-Haq Foundation for Freedom of Opinion and Expression and Human Rights/Egypt |
Fondation Al-Haq pour la liberté d'opinion et d'expression et les droits de l'homme/ةgypte |
مؤسسة الحق الحرية الرأي والتعبير وحقوق الإنسان/مصر |
204. |
National Prisoner Foundation/Yemen |
Fondation nationale des prisonniers/Yémen |
مؤسسة السجين الوطنية/اليمن |
205. |
The Middle East Foundation for Development and Human Rights (Yemen) |
La Fondation du Moyen-Orient pour le développement et les droits de l'homme (Yémen) |
مؤسسة الشرق الأوسط للتنمية وحقوق الإنسان/اليمن |
206. |
Addameer Foundation for Prisoners Care and Human Rights /Palestine |
Fondation Addameer pour la prise en charge des prisonniers/Palestine |
مؤسسة الضمير لرعاية الأسرى وحقوق الإنسان /فلسطين |
207. |
Al-Tayeb Foundation for Relief and Development / Yemen |
Fondation Al-Tayeb pour l'aide d'urgence et le développement / Yémen |
مؤسسة الطيب للإغاثة والتنمية/ اليمن |
208. |
Justice and Citizenship Foundation for Human Rights/ Egypt |
Fondation Justice et Citoyenneté pour les Droits de l'Homme/ Egypte |
مؤسسة العدالة والمواطنة لحقوق الإنسان -المنيا/ مصر |
209. |
The Arab Foundation to support Civil Society and Human Rights/Egypt |
La Fondation arabe pour soutenir la société civile et les droits de l'homme / ةgypte |
المؤسسة العربية لدعم المجتمع المدني وحقوق الإنسان/ مصر |
210. |
New Woman Foundation/Egypt |
Fondation New Woman/ةgypte |
مؤسسة المرأة الجديدة/مصر |
211. |
The Egyptian Foundation for Family Development / Egypt |
La Fondation égyptienne pour le développement de la famille / Egypte |
المؤسسة المصرية لتنمية الأسرة/مصر |
212. |
The Egyptian Foundation for the Advancement of Children's Rights |
La Fondation égyptienne pour la promotion des droits de l'enfant |
المؤسسة المصرية للنهوض بأوضاع حقوق الطفل/ مصر |
213. |
National Foundation to Combat Human Trafficking/Yemen |
Fondation nationale de lutte contre la traite des êtres humains/Yémen |
المؤسسة الوطنية لمكافحة الاتجار بالبشر/اليمن |
214. |
The National Foundation for Combating Smoking, Qat and Drugs/Yemen |
Fondation nationale de lutte contre le tabagisme, le qat et la drogue/Yémen |
المؤسسة الوطنية لمكافحة التدخين والقات والمخدرات/ اليمن |
215. |
Cooperation Foundation for Conflict Resolution / Palestine |
Fondation de coopération pour la résolution des conflits / Palestine |
مؤسسة تعاون لحل الصراع / فلسطين |
216. |
Haidara Foundation for Peace and Human Development / Yemen |
Fondation Haidara pour la paix et le développement humain / Yémen |
مؤسسة حيدرة للسلام والتنمية الانسانية/ اليمن |
217. |
Regen Foundation for Development and Human Rights/ Yemen |
Fondation Regen pour le développement et les droits de l'homme / Yémen |
مؤسسة ريجين للتنمية وحقوق الإنسان/ اليمن |
218. |
Future Partners Foundation for Development and Human Rights - Yemen |
Future Partners Foundation for Development and Human Rights - Yémen |
مؤسسة شركاء المستقبل للتنمية وحقوق الإنسان - اليمن |
219. |
Justice Foundation for Human Rights / Yemen |
Justice Foundation for Human Rights / Yémen |
مؤسسة عدالة لحقوق الإنسان/ اليمن |
220. |
Filistinyat Foundation |
Fondation Filistinyat |
مؤسسة فلسطينيات |
221. |
Egyptian Women's Issues Foundation |
Fondation égyptienne pour les questions féminines |
مؤسسة قضايا المراة المصرية |
222. |
Mada Foundation for Human Rights / Iraq |
Fondation Mada pour les Droits de l'Homme / Irak |
مؤسسة مدى لحقوق الإنسان/العراق |
223. |
Adwar Foundation for Social Change (feminist organization) - Hebron / Palestine |
Adwar Foundation for Social Change (organisation féministe) - Hébron / Palestine |
مؤسسه ادوار للتغيير الاجتماعي(مؤسسة نسوية)-الخليل/فلسطين |
224. |
National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists |
Syndicat national des journalistes tunisiens |
النقابة الوطنية للصحفيين التونسيين |
225. |
The National Commission for the Independence of the Judiciary / Palestine |
La Commission Nationale pour l'Indépendance de la Magistrature / Palestine |
الهيئة الأهلية لإستقلال القضاء/فلسطين |
226. |
The International Commission for Supporting the Rights of the Palestinian People |
La Commission internationale pour le soutien des droits du peuple palestinien |
الهيئة الدولية لدعم حقوق الشعب الفلسطيني"حشد" |
227. |
Sahel Authority for the Defense of Human Rights/Mauritania |
Autorité sahélienne de défense des droits de l'Homme/Mauritanie |
هيئة الساحل للدفاع عن حقوق الإنسان/موريتانيا |
228. |
Moroccan Commission for Human Rights |
Commission marocaine des droits de l'homme |
الهيئة المغربية لحقوق الإنسان |
229. |
Zahra Chinguetti Agency/ Mauritania |
Agence Zahra Chinguetti/ Mauritanie |
وكالة زهرة شنقيط/ موريتانيا |
To View the Full Statement as PDF
Position paper by civil society organizations on local council elections
Date posted: November 03, 2021
By Civil Society Organizations
Since the political division in 2007, the Palestinian political system has suffered from the absence of a peaceful transition of power and marginalization of whole generations from their right to political participation, guaranteed in the Palestinian basic law and human rights agreements to which Palestine is a signatory. Hence, elections constitute one of these rights and are a gateway for the values of integrity, transparency and the transition of power as the foundation of good governance. Despite the shortcomings that have wracked the local council electoral system over the years, including tribalism, the sidelining of the role of youth and the diminishing role of women in local councils, still the demand for local elections in all areas in accordance with the Local Authorities Law, is agreed on by all CSOs, including political parties and forces, unions and institutions. They view elections as a democratic tool for change to preserve civic peace and contribute to the institutionalization of the Palestinian political system.
CSOs and civic movements have exerted efforts over the past few months to hold local elections in all local councils in the West Bank, Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip on the same day as stipulated in the Local Authorities Law. Most political factions and forces and CSOs agree on the need not to fragment the elections, which contravenes with the stipulations of the law and national interests. It also goes against the premise that local elections are an entryway for laying the ground to hold PNC, PLC and presidential elections in addition to the premise that they should be held in one phase that includes all districts based on a national debate around them.
The Cabinet decision to hold local elections in two stages, the first on 11/12/2021 in the West Bank’s Category (C) village and town councils and the second on 26/3/2021 in West Bank local councils in Categories (A and B) and in the Gaza Strip districts categorized (A.B and C), is in violation of the Local Authorities law and its amendments, which necessitate a plausible reason for holding elections in stages. CSOs believe the government’s continued insistence to hold elections in two stages, with a date for the second stage already set, is an expression of political bias towards one specific faction and far -removed from national interests and the exercise of true political participation and elections on the basis of good governance and the peaceful transition of power.
CSOs reiterate the importance of providing a sound electoral climate in which citizens can exercise their right to candidacy, voting and expression of opinions and can hold all elections-related activities with absolute freedom as stipulated by the Basic Law. They find the current atmosphere as being rife with incitement and mobilization, with continued political arrests and summons of activists by PA security forces on the back of union work and political activity. This, they maintain, has made for an unhealthy elections atmosphere, which can adversely influence the course of the electoral process and results.
CSOs still consider the CEC as a main guarantor for the integrity of the electoral process in terms of its legal procedures for registration, candidacy and voting. They also maintain that the CEC continues to enjoy the respect and trust of the majority of Palestinian society given its role over the years, which has been neutral, transparent and open to civil society and factions alike. This has rendered it a focal point at all stages in the Palestinian democratic process and is imperative for it to continue with the same approach in all stages of this process.
Civil society institutions thus confirm their position regarding the need to hold local council elections in accordance with the requirements of the law. They believe the government, political factions and forces still have time to stop the first phase and prevent the fragmentation of the elections, thereby holding them on one day in all districts. In this way, the date set for the second phase of elections would become the day for all local council elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Prior to this date, a dialogue would be held between all political and social forces in the West Bank and Gaza Strip regarding these one-time elections, with CSOs continuing their efforts to reach this goal.
CSO’s reaffirm that the right to vote and run for elections is a basic right, which must have the respect of all parties involved in the electoral process, including electoral lists, regardless of whether they belong to political parties or are independent. This also includes law enforcers who, by law, must not interfere in any stage of the electoral process. The CSOs also reaffirm the need for political parties to respect the law and not interfere in the electoral process in any shape or form and to provide a climate in which citizens can exercise all rights and freedoms guaranteed to them by law. Furthermore, the CSO’s reaffirm the right of all civil society institutions to choose the appropriate manner in which to follow and monitor local elections in all their stages.
