Addameer Association for Human Rights calls for retracting the complaint submitted by the Presidential Bureau against AMAN Coalition
Gaza – Addameer Association for Human Rights is deeply concerned about the decision of Ramallah Public Prosecution Office to summon two senior persons from AMAN Coalition following a complaint submitted by the Presidential Bureau on charges of “defamation and libel against high-ranking officials”. The summoning took place on Monday, 5 June 2023, when AMAN Coalition’s Board of Directors Advisor for Anti-Corruption Affairs Dr. Azmi Shuaibi, and its Executive Director Mr. Issam Haj-Hussein, were summoned and their statements taken regarding the contents of that report, especially the issue of “whitening settlement dates”. This issue has taken a different turn in 2022 in light of attempts to tackle it outside the normal course of investigations. The said events took place against the backdrop of AMAN Coalition’s annual report on the status of integrity and anti-corruption in 2022.
Addameer Association affirms the need to respect the freedom to practice civil and community work and uphold the freedom of opinion and expression in presenting evidence that exposes corruption and violation cases. These are considered protection and oversight mechanisms in favor of Palestinian citizens’ rights, especially in the absence of the Legislative Council.
The summoning of two of AMAN’s senior personnel constitutes a flagrant violation of the Palestinian Basic Law and the Law of Charitable Associations and Community Organizations, along with contravening the right of criticism and freedom of opinion and expression.
Addameer Association stresses the need to respect civil work and the freedom of opinion and expression. It also calls for implementing the international conventions ratified by the State of Palestine, especially the right to freedom of association and the independence of association work. Civil society cannot play its role without enjoying the right to existence, independence, and privacy. Hence, Addameer Association for Human Rights demands the following:
Withdraw the complaint submitted by the Presidential Bureau against AMAN Coalition, uphold the freedom of practicing civil and community work, and respect the freedom of opinion and expression in exposing corruption and violation cases. These are considered a mechanism of oversight to protect Palestinian citizens’ rights.
Open an investigation regarding the allegations stated in the AMAN Coalition report, which refers to legal violations that might amount to corruption crimes. And if these cases were proven to be true, the suspected persons must be put to trial and held accountable.
Relevant governmental and official parties must stop infringing upon the rights and freedoms of civil and community work to enable civil society organizations to perform their duties effectively.
