In a letter to governors and local bodies supervising voluntary committees
Ramallah – The Coalition for Accountability and Integrity (AMAN) expressed appreciation to the local emergency committees, which support official government efforts to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. AMAN called for effective community engagement to make this experience successful and institutionalised, while at the same time strengthening governance, integrity, transparency and accountability safeguards in the operations of these committees.
In a letter it sent to governors and local bodies supervising voluntary committees, AMAN shared and expressed its willingness to help implement some recommendations. The Coalition called for enhancing the values of integrity in the work of local emergency committees and volunteers. These committees should be established on impartial, professional and equitable grounds. It needs to be stressed that local committees be voluntary, serve the population at large, have a social dimension, act separately from political organisations or parties, and be far from familial, religious or other subjective considerations. AMAN highlighted that local committees should be professionally formed. Engaging needed specialisations, committee formation will ensure equal representation without discrimination on the basis of gender or age. Women and young people will be duly represented on these committees.
AMAN demanded that specific mechanisms and written criteria be in place to govern the distribution of any financial assistance provided by local committees to citizens. Committees will fully adhere to maintaining public interest. Membership will not be abused to achieve any personal interests. Personal interests, if any, will be disclosed by committee members. Committee functions will be performed seriously, sincerely, and with attention to individual rights and fundamental freedoms. These can only be affected to the extent required by the state of emergency. Committees will fully comply with relevant laws and instructions and work in full coordination with competent authorities.
AMAN also emphasised the need to strengthen the systems of accountability and principles of transparency in the work of local committees. Both structurally and technically, these will be answerable to official authorities. For example, local committees at the level of local government units (LGUs) and city neighbourhoods will be held to account by Governorate Committees. The latter will be held accountable by the Central Emergency Committee. Technical accountability will be managed by district Civil Defence directorates. Complaints processes will be identified at LGUs, Civil Defence directorates, and Governor Offices. Mechanisms will be set for reporting irregularities, encroachments or suspicions of corruption. These lines of activity will be made publicly available. Periodic (daily or weekly) reports on functions will be submitted by committees to responsible authorities. As much as practicable, these reports will be posted on LGU websites, social media platforms, and mass media outlets. AMAN further called for maintaining lines of communication with citizens to receive inquiries and respond to requests. Various media outlets will raise awareness of the role and tasks of local committees.
