During a Special Visit to AMAN Coalition with the participation of PNGO representatives
A European Union Delegation expresses its full solidarity and support for AMAN Coalition following the latter’s prosecution by the Presidential Bureau
Ramallah – A delegation of European Union representatives met with the Coordination Office of the Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO) and representatives of the Coalition for Accountability and Integrity (AMAN) at the latter’s headquarters. This meeting aimed to discuss the latest developments regarding the prosecution against AMAN Coalition, following a complaint filed against them by the Presidential Bureau against the backdrop of AMAN’s Annual Report 2022 regarding the issue of whitening settlement dates.
AMAN Coalition explained how this complain came in light of the executive authority’s continuing attempts to limit the work of civil society organizations and deprive them of their right to practice monitoring and accountability regarding the management of public funds and affairs. AMAN representatives explained the case in detail and the nature of the complaint (lawsuit) against them, along with clarifying the counter mechanism. They added that the Public Prosecution Office (PPO) accused them of publishing news that would [negatively] affect judges or witnesses and publishing information or criticism that can affect a judge or witness or prevent a person from revealing information. AMEN were also accused of” libel” against an official body, court, public administration, army, or employee when carrying out their duty or due to what was done by virtue of it, and the charge of using technological means to spread information related to the previous charges, as specified by the Law by Decree on Cybercrimes No. (10) of 2018.
AMAN Coalition stated to the EU delegation that civil society organizations have formed a Defense Committee comprised of lawyers and legal experts from various CSOs, who volunteered to come for AMAN’s defense because the complaint against AMAN does not only target this institution but all civil society organizations as well.
From their part, the representatives of the Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO) expressed the severity of the current situation, pointing to the increasing attempts of Palestine’s executive authority to limit the work of CSOs and restrict public and private freedoms. They also highlighted the importance of solidarity between different CSOs to strengthen civil action and stand together to weaken the executive authority’s desire to adopt practices that weaken CSOs and prevent the undermining of the freedom of opinion and expression. The main goal is also to stop the various practices of harassment, [illegal] summoning, and incitement against civil society institutions (CSOs), and demand the protection of CSOs to enable them to fully carry out their oversight roles, as guaranteed by the Palestinian Basic Law and Law of Charitable Associations and Civil Society Organizations vis-a-vis the right to criticism and the right of opinion and expression.
The European Union representatives expressed their support and solidarity with AMAN Coalition and civil society organizations in their defense of the right to exercise their roles, aiming to convey CSOs’ point of view to the [Palestinian] Attorney General. In a recent tweet, the European Union stated that: “In the absence of the Legislative Council and parliamentary oversight, it is necessary to allow the civil society to hold authorities accountable. The European Union also calls upon the Palestinian Authority to fulfill its obligations concerning the standards outlined in human rights conventions. This includes ensuring the freedom of opinion and expression, as enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the State of Palestine has acceded. Upholding these principles is paramount to safeguarding human rights.”
Following the prosecution of AMAN Coalition, a wide-scale campaign of solidarity was witnessed at different levels, including civil society organizations, political parties, associations, unions, coalitions, Transparency International, European Union, and other international organizations. These parties warned of the unjust legal action against AMAN and limiting the sphere and activities of civil society organizations (CSOs). They also stressed the need to allow CSOs to duly perform their duties. It is also worth mentioning that PNGO and different CSOs (who strongly oppose the curtailing of civil work) made a public call to participate in a sit-in in front of the Higher Judicial Council (HJC) in Al-Balou’, Al-Bireh on Tuesday, 11 July 2023, from 10:00-12:00. This is where the second court session is set to be held to examine the aforementioned complaint. This sit-in is a message from CSOs that they will remain united in the face of various attempts to stifle their work, along with strengthening popular and international solidarity with these organizations.
