The Coalition for Accountability and Integrity (AMAN) has announced the launch of its work strategy for the years 2017-2020 and the signing of cooperation and funding protocols between AMAN and a consortium funded by its main program, which includes the governments of Norway, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
In his opening speech, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of AMAN, Mr. Abdul Qader Al-Husseini, spoke about the situation of the Palestinian prisoners who are engaged in the strike of freedom and dignity, stressing that under all the circumstances, especially the occupation, it is better for Palestinian institutions to abide by the values of integrity, transparency and accountability for its positive outcome in improving the social conditions of the citizens and their confidence in them.
Al-Husseini emphasized the need to mobilize and gathering community efforts to advocate for the fortification of the Palestinian society from corruption and its effects to adopt the principles of transparency and values of integrity and systems of accountability in a practical and effective way away from speeches and perspectives in Palestinian institutions and in accordance with the laws, conventions and practices and administrative and financial rules. Expressing his gratitude against all governments of Norway, the Netherlands and Luxembourg for anti-corruption efforts in Palestine.
Al-Husseini pointed out that the system of monitoring and accountability in Palestine has been weakened after the absence of the Legislative Council and periodic elections, deteriorating judicial conditions, weak respect for the rule of law and the absence of a comprehensive clear national plan to fight corruption, and to be evaluated and monitored, restricting the space and freedom of the action of civil society, which leads us to a transition into a totalitarian regime.
In regards to the AMAN Strategy for the years 2017-2020, the Director of Evaluation and monitoring, Lana Tawasah, reviewed the most important aspirations and objectives of the strategy, based on community monitoring and accountability, citizen engagement and the formation of social mobility with civil society organizations in partnership with the media to support anti-corruption efforts and have effective control over the management of finance and public affairs
In same context, the representative of Norway in Palestine Hilda Haraldstad emphasized in her speech about the need to develop bilateral relations and the continuous cooperation between Palestine and Norway, emphasizing her country's desire to strengthen the continuous cooperation with the AMAN coalition in the field of combating corruption because it has a role in empowering citizens and supporting their right to accountability, monitor and performance of government institutions in different fields.
The representative of the Netherlands in Palestine, Mr. Peter Mulema, expressed his country's keenness to deepen and strengthen the continuous cooperation with Palestine, praising the important role played by AMAN in monitoring the Palestinian public performance in the absence of an effective Palestinian Legislative Council.
Moreover, Board of Director Anti-Corruption consultant, Dr. Azmi Shuaibi presented a comprehensive presentation of the most prominent developments and challenges faced by the Palestinian national integrity in 2016, referring to the role played by the Israeli occupation in weakening the system. Dr. Shuaibi pointed out that AMAN seeks to reform the Palestinian regime and protect it from corruption, and does not accept that some of the information contained in the reports of the coalition to be used to pressure and blackmail the Palestinian Authority in favor of Israeli pressure.
It is noteworthy that representatives of some of the partner sectors with AMAN participated in the launching of the strategy as Head of the Financial and Administrative Control Bureau, Director General of Al-Haq Foundation, Director of the Citizens Foundation, academics, legal experts, civil society activists and media organizations, in addition to members of the Board of Directors and its General Assembly.
The strategy review was followed by the signing of the cooperation protocol between AMAN and a consortium funded by its main program
It is noteworthy that the amount of the grant to be submitted by the governments of Norway, the Netherlands and Luxembourg to the AMAN amounts to about four million US dollars under the cooperation protocol for a period of three years.