During a grand celebration commemorating the occasion of International
Anti-Corruption Day, which falls on December 9 of every year, the
Coalition for Accountability and Integrity (AMAN) announced the winners
of its "Integrity Award" for the year 2010 as well as its Good
Governance Certificate for the private sector. The awards, granted to a
number of brave individuals who dare to speak against corruption come
from the various sectors of the Palestinian society which include,
public, private, media and best student research.
The celebration, which was held by AMAN in Ramallah and Gaza, enjoyed
unparalleled participation on both the government and popular levels.
The results were as follows: Al Quds Pharmaceutical Company was awarded
the private sector Good Governance Certificate; Muhammad al-Hallaq and
Sumud Dhamiri for the public sector; Khalid al-Faqih for media; Murad
Draghma for best caricature drawing; and Ala’ Muhammad Ahid al-Asmar for
best research. Recognition/Appreciation awards were granted to Jalal
Rummana for the best academic research and Ziyad Hamdan, a public
employee, for his refusal to accept a bribe as he performed his duty
what he called the ‘citizen’s right to the service’. .
Dr. hanan Ashrawi: The Israeli occupation is the principle source of
political corruption in our society
During the celebration, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi welcomed the attendees in
Ramallah and Gaza, via video conference. She stressed the importance of
honoring the heroes who took it upon themselves to come forward despite
the potential price they may personally pay.
On another note, Ashrawi pointed out tha the occupation is the primary
source of corruption in occupied Palestine through the implementation of
particular policies that interfere in all aspects of Palestinian life
hence encouraging the negative phenomena of the spread of corruption.
On the other hand, Ashrawi stressed the importance, for us Palestinians,
to continue to work towards the construction of a transparent and
democratic political system. She further pointed out that this date is
given more importance for Palestinians due to the fact that it falls on
the commemoration of the outbreak of the first popular uprising
(Intifada). Lastly, Ashrawi stressed the importance of joining efforts
of Palestinian, individuals and institutions in the fight against
corruption first and foremost encouraging whistle blowing since it
reveals one’s affiliation to his country. "Success in confronting
corruption is tied to the growing awareness on the part of the citizen
of his/her duty to inform on those involved in corruption wherever they
happen to be."
Managing Director of Transparency International: Palestinians'
accomplishments constitute a pioneering model
For his part, Cobus De Swardt, Managing Director of Transparency
International, stressed the importance of continuing to reinforce the
efforts of government and non-government institutions and the public for
the sake of defining a national plan to confront corruption. He
indicated that the experience of South Africa in winning its liberation
and its efforts to confront the manifestations of corruption provide a
concrete example of the challenges which face the world's peoples in
this area, particularly the Palestinian people. He added that
Palestinians over a period of many years have been a source of
inspiration for those seeking to do away with corruption while seeking
social justice.
Mr. De Swardt expressed great sadness over the state of the political
division among Palestinians and called for unity in order for them to
continue their struggle for social justice and more effectively fight
corruption through a national plan with wide participation from all
sectors .
[Picture caption: Rafiq al-Natshah: The Palestinians have the political
will to face the phenomenon of corruption]
In a speech he delivered on the Arab network to reinforce integrity and
transparency and fight corruption, Mr. Rafiq al-Natshah, head of the
Anti-Corruption Commission in Palestine, affirmed the Palestinian
people's political will to confront the phenomenon of corruption and to
hold those involved in corruption accountable for their actions.
Al-Natshah called for the broadest possible cooperation on the
governmental, non-governmental, and grassroots levels.. Al-Natsha noted
that President Mahmud Abbas wholeheartedly support the role of the
Commission, a stand that is un- preceded in the Arab world.
Deputy of the Norwegian representative: We are impressed by AMAN's
achievements
Mr. Stein Torgersbraten, Deputy of
the Norwegian Representative to the Palestinian Authority, delivered a
speech on behalf of AMAN's international supporters in which he
expressed his admiration for the achievements the coalition has made.
He reaffirmed his readiness to continue supporting AMAN in its work to
reinforce transparency and accountability; significant for
institution-building of the Palestinian state. He also stressed the
importance of reinforcing popular and media oversight of government
institutions' performance.
Turger praised the efforts being exerted by the Palestinian government
under the leadership of Dr. Salam Fayyad to increase transparency,
accountability and its adherence to the standards of transparency, which
in turn increases donors' confidence in the Palestinian Authority and
its institutions. At the same time, such efforts strengthen the
Palestinian populace’s confidence in the work of these institutions,
particularly given the fact that corruption is a drain on countries’
resources hence represent a major obstacle to the achievement of
sustainable development.
Dr. Azmi al-Shu'aybi stresses the importance of popular participation
in promoting a culture that opposes corruption
Dr. Azmi al-Shu'aybi, Commissioner for Combating Corruption at AMAN,
stressed the importance of promoting and expanding a culture that is
opposed to corruption. He also called for greater popular participation
in this direction, particularly as it pertains to public wealth. Azmi
stressed that the AMAN coalition has achieved success toward creating a
social culture with a concern to preserve and protect the use of public
funds and to base its actions on the conviction that employees are
public servants.
Members of the public prosecutor's office sign a code of ethics
During the celebration, members of the Public Prosecution signed a
specifically prepared code of ethics hence voluntarily committing to
adherence to a high moral standards and a life of integrity and respect
for the law including implementation of the law, and guaranteeing and
preserving the rights, freedoms, justice, and equality for members of
society.
For his part, Public Prosecutor Ahmad al-Mughni noted the importance of
cooperation between the Public Prosecutor's office and AMAN for the sake
of promoting a culture in which all members of society without exception
are under the rule of law, saying, "We are moving in this direction, and
we have succeeded in achieving a number of important goals."
AMAN Coalition and the Municipality of Khan Younis sign a mutual
memorandum of understanding
The celebration also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of
understanding between the AMAN coalition and the Khan Younis
municipality which stipulates that the municipality will adopt a
workers' code of ethics for those employed in local bodies. In the
speech he delivered at the celebration, Mr. Muhammad Jawad al-Farra,
mayor of Khan Younis, asserted that the signing of the memorandum and
the joint efforts of the Khan Younis municipality and the AMAN coalition
is an affirmation of the track being adopted by the municipality in its
dealings with the public.
Mr. Al-Sharafi, Vice-President of the Board of Directors, went on
to note that the AMAN coalition has great appreciation for the Khan
Younis municipality's willingness to adopt a code of ethics and behavior
that goes beyond the law
Honoring the heroes of integrity for the year
2010
Dr. al-Sharafi: Through the annual Celebration of Transparency, AMAN
seeks to honor the heroes of integrity, and to acknowledge the efforts
of local partners
Dr. Kamal al-Sharafi affirmed AMAN's willingness to provide ongoing
assistance and support for all governmental and non-governmental
institutions who desire to develop systems and procedures that serve to
promote integrity, transparency and accountability.
The celebration was concluded by distributing the awards to winners in
both the West Bank and the Gaza. AMAN affirmed its intention to continue
its work and to expand the partnership among a variety of institutions
with the goal of arriving at a stage in which Palestine is free of
corruption.
I think this part should be placed with a link leading to the
information on the winners for whoever desires.
Integrity Award for the public sector
Mohamad Shaafiq al-Hallaq
Mr. Mohamad Shaafiq al-Hallaq, Director of public transportation, was
awarded the integrity award for the private sector for his
continuous initiatives since 2008 in preserving public funds as
he managed to monitor and control the use of governmental
vehicles. He managed to collect 25 million NIS in revenue within
the years of 2006-2010 for the benefit of the Ministry of
Finance. These revenues came through and selling them
Further, he managed to save 150,000 Nis on monthly basis after deducting
the cost of transportation allowances allocated for users of
governmental vehicles in addition to differentiating between
governmental and private cars which contributed to raising the
citizens’ awareness. He also contributed to the discovery of 400
to 500 private vehicles which were registered under the name of
Palestinian Authority to evade customs. His different
initiatives have had an impact on the decision of the Council of
Ministers on 25/8/2010 to rationalize the use vehicles for
government business only.
Integrity Award for The Public Sector
Somoud Adnan Aldamiri
Ms. Somoud Adnan Aldamiri was awarded for her role in the preparation of
a special file on financial and administrative corruption
committed by the Deputy Assistant of Public Affairs at the
Ministry of Interior where she works. The Deputy Assistant
embezzled $375,000 U.S. dollars from the account of the
dissolved Law Society by fraud and forgery.
She reported the case to the Public Prosecutor and provided necessary
documents and testimony of witnesses which resulted in the
conviction of the accused, his wife and other affiliates, whom
were sentenced for a term of seven years with hard labor and a
fine of $375,000, the value of the amount embezzled.
The Integrity Award for Journalists
Khalid Mohammed Faqih
Mr. Khalid Mohammed Faqih was awarded for his article published on Ma’an
Network (news agency) on the promotion of higher education that
is not recognized. The panel noted that the article raised an
important subject which points to one of the forms of
corruption. The article revealed certain facts that urged the
Palestinian Ministry of Education to issue a warning against
certain universities.
Integrity (student) Award for Best Applied Research:
Alaa Mohammed Al Asmar
Alaa Mohammed Al Asmar, a graduate law student form Al Najah University,
was granted the Integrity (student) Award for Best Applied
Research for his research entitled "The Legal Framework
Governing the Process of Management Accountability in the
Palestinian Public Sector". The student was able to pursue his
research in one of the reasons for the existence of corruption
in the Palestinian society and to add what is new on the subject
of management accountability and corruption (not clear, please
rephrase!!).
Appreciation Certificate:
Ziad Hisham Hamdan
Policeman Ziad Hisham, of the General Administration of Crossings and
Borders, was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for refusing
to accept a bribe from a citizen to facilitate his travel
abroad though Jordan despite the fact that it is common
practice to facilitate travel for citizens with airline
tickets.
The policeman refused to be bribed in exchange for his duties which stems
from his conviction that it is his duty to serve the citizens.
Mr. Ziad had contributed to sending out a message to every
citizen that they are entitled to the right to service without
any need to pay bribes. AMAN thanks and appreciates his efforts
and hope to be an example of integrity and transparency to all.
The Integrity Award for the Private Sector and
Public Shareholding Companies:
Jerusalem Pharmaceutical Company was awarded
the certificate for illustrating commitment in applying good
governance practices.
The "best caricature" contest
Artists Abir Jibril of Gaza and Murad Draghma of the West Bank were
honored for "best caricature drawing". Mr. Sami al-Hilou, member of the
evaluation committee, noted that this contest is a new addition that
aims at encouraging artists to express through art public opinion of
pressing issues one of which is corruption.
The celebration included an exhibition of caricature art, in which the
drawings displayed reflected a growing popular awareness of the issue of
corruption and the trend towards adopting new means of confronting
corruption.
The winning picture from the West Bank by Artist
Murad Draghma
The winning picture from
Gaza by Artist Abir Jibril
It is worth noting that a brief film entitled, "Civil Servant" about the
importance of fairness in the provision of public services
was shown. That celebration participants enjoyed the
opportunity to contemplate on the exhibition of the
caricature drawings.
