Activities 2023

Civil Society Organizations Demand Ceasing Prosecution of AMAN Coalition and Opening an Investigation of AMAN's 2022 Report Findings

2023-June-06

Civil Society Organizations Demand Ceasing Prosecution of AMAN Coalition and Opening an Investigation of AMAN's 2022 Report Findings

The civil society organizations, which signed this statement, consider with great seriousness to the summon of the Public Prosecution office on Monday morning, 5 June 2023, Dr. Azmi Al-Shuaibi, consultant to the Board of Directors of AMAN - Coalition for Accountability and Integrity, and Mr. Essam Haj Hussein, Executive Director of the Coalition. The Investigation took place in the headquarters of the Public Prosecution in the city of Ramallah, following a complaint filed against them by the President’s Office on the grounds of the Reality of Integrity and Anti-Corruption in Palestine 2022 annual report.

The summon of both Al-Shuaibi and Hussein to the Public Prosecution and summoning them again to meet with the Prosecution the following day constitutes constraints on the work of civil society organizations, as well as intimidation to prevent them from carrying out their professional duty in exposing violations. In addition, it constitutes an infringement of freedom of expression.

The data and allegations stated in the report issued by AMAN Coalition and its press release held on May 17 require the Public Prosecution to open an investigation into the allegations stated in AMAN’s report, indicating suspicions of legal violations that might amount to suspicions of corruption. In case of verification, the suspects must be referred to court.

The freedom of civil society work is guaranteed by the Basic Law, as it is an inherent outcome of Palestinian’s right of assembly, especially in light of the absence of the Legislative Council. However, violating or restricting it is considered a restriction on the civil spaces through which the Palestinians can express.

Such steps would disrupt all forms of peaceful democratic action in Palestine, and would lead to the legitimacy of political and radical violence towards civil society components of civil society in general.

Accordingly, Palestinian civil society organizations demand the following:

Withdrawal of the complaint by the President’s Office filed against the colleagues in AMAN Coalition, and to respond to the information stated in AMAN report if their validity is questioned.
To stop the investigation by the Public Prosecution with the colleagues in AMAN Coalition and to open an investigation into the findings stated in the report regarding the serious legal violations according to what was stated in Amman’s annual report.
To issue a modern law on the right to obtain information to enable organizations to obtain accurate information due to its significance in combatting corruption.

Signatories to the statement:

Center of Defense of Civil Liberties and Rights (Hurryyat).

General Union of Cultural Centers

The Civil Commission for the Independence of Judiciary and Rule of Law – ISTIQLAL

The Palestinian Association for Empowerment and Local Development – REFORM

Arab World Observatory for democracy and Elections

Palestinian Youth Association for Leadership and Rights Activation – PYALARA

Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA)

Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counseling

Faisal Husseini Foundation

Human Rights & Democracy Media Center “SHAMS”

The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy –MIFTAH