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Palestinian Prime Minister Dr. Salam Fayyad asserted that combating
corruption is is
one of the pillars in building good governance; and
that his government promises to establish an Illicit Gain Commission.
He stated: “We have committed ourselves to establishing the Commission
in the shortest time possible. Moreover, we promise run it in accordance
with the Illicit Gain Law.”
The Prime Minister reaffirmed his commitment and that of his government
to acquire high international standards hence eliminating any excuse by
anyone aiming to hinder our people’s national goal of ending the
occupation and establishing an Independent Palestinian state on occupied
territories occupied 1967 including East Jerusalem".
He added that “openness and transparency are essential components in
combating corruption while accountability is a crucial link that must be
part of a framework which regulates a system committed to good
governance and to serving the interests of our people”.
In his speech, he expressed his appreciation to AMAN Coalition for the
efforts exerted, both locally and internationally, in combating
corruption; and in raising the community’s awareness and engagement in
anti-corruption activities.
Moreover, PM. Fayyad appraised all participating CSOs which included
NGOs, media, private sector representatives, and labor unions. He also
praised members of the Palestinian Legislative Council for their
support.
The Coalition for Accountability and Integrity (AMAN) organized a mass
rally celebrating the International Anti-Corruption Day. Hundreds of
people representing the various sectors of society participated in the
rally. The event was organized in cooperation with the Union of
Charitable Societies and the Palestinian Child's Club in Kufer Ne'ma as well as
local councils in the governorate of Ramallah and Al-Bireh.
Representatives of NGOs, labor unions, the private sector, and members
of the Legislative Council, particularly Palestinian Parliamentarians
against Corruption participated in the event which falls on the 9th
of December . Final destination of the march was the Office of the
Prime Minister.
A delegation of approximately 50 renowned individuals from the community
presented a letter urging the PM to establish an Illicit Gain Commission
in accordance with Article (3) of the Illicit Gain Law No. (1) for the
year 2005. and to revise the law to include criminalizing acts of
corruption to include all violations
The provisions of this law call on the establishment of an Illicit Gain
Commission. It holds a legal personality and an administrative and
financial autonomy with a special budget to be allocated for it from the
State’s General Budget. The Palestinian president appoints a chairman
for the Illicit Gain Commission upon the recommendation of the Cabinet.
The appointment is then endorsed following an approval of the majority
of the PLC members.
Dr.
Azmi Shuaibi, AMAN’s General
Commissioner for Combating-
Corruption,
relayed, on behalf of the participating delegation, the compelling need
for establishing the commission when addressing the PM. He said "We
wanted to convey a clear message that now is the time to take serious
steps to hold perpetrators accountable for their corrupt acts". Dr.
Shuaibi pointed out that “the Illicit Gain Law had been enacted under
the former Legislative Council, which was to be entrusted with
monitoring the financial disclosures of senior officials. Having been
adopted several years ago, this law has yet to have provisions and the
commission has not been established.”
Dr. Shuaibi confirmed that “although some reform has been achieved on
other levels, the issue of combating corruption has not been taken
seriously enough. We believe that the initiative here in the Cabinet by
recommending a Chairman for the Illicit Gain Commission to the President
in order to start implementing the law.”
Ms.
Ghada Zughayar,
Executive Director at AMAN, stated that “despite the various reforms
taking place in the various sectors in Palestine, reports documented by
AMAN indicate the continuing use of wasta, nepotism, misappropriation of
public funds as well as misuse of public office in some sectors of the
Palestinian society. This requires joined efforts and taking proper
actions to prevent corruption from becoming fully integrated and
institutionalized in our society
Note on International Anti-Corruption Day:
The International Anti-Corruption Day was declared to be the 9th of
December of each year through resolution No. 4 / 58 of the General
Assembly of the United Nations in 2003. Celebrating that day is one
activity which helps to raise awareness of the dangers of corruption
world-wide. It is worthy to note that it coincides with the launching
of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
The
decision was based upon scientific
studies and in-depth analysis that were mainly carried out by
Transparency International-TI and its national chapters, which addressed
the issue of corruption in most countries of the world. The findings
indicated a wider spread of corruption in areas of conflict where
totalitarian regimes and domination of the security agency prevails; and
the rule of law retreats hence causing greater negative impact on the
political, economic and social levels of development”.
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