The Network of Civil Society Organizations, during a meeting of civil society organizations in the West Bank and Gaza, called on the government to retract its recent decision regarding the membership of state employees and to emphasize the protection of the Palestinian civil society work space.
The network confirmed in a statement its rejection of the aforementioned decision and called on the government to retract it because it violates the Palestinian Basic Law and Associations Law No. 1 of 2000. It would also place more restrictions on the right to form associations, membership in them, and practice their work, in addition to limiting the independence of civil society work, which is part of A long series of actions that must be stopped immediately.
It also called for the initiation of a serious and responsible dialogue on the basis of rejecting the resolution and the series of decrees by law that affect the work of civil society, and fall within the context of attempts to tighten its grip on it and reflect in its entirety the encroachment of executive authority in the absence of the Legislative Council, and attempts to absent the judiciary, which threatens the transformation into a totalitarian regime with The absence of democratic life and basic freedoms guaranteed by law.
It rejected any procedures, restrictions or decisions, protecting the right of institutions, associations, and non-profit companies to carry out their work, imposing more measures that have become a source of great concern, and demanding that space be allowed for their work based on a long history before the emergence of the Authority to confront the policies of the occupation and strengthen the steadfastness of the Palestinian people. In its land, and stresses the necessity of building a real partnership in the face of the grave challenges facing the Palestinian issue in order to achieve tangible and serious change in the foundations of the relationship between the government and Palestinian civil society institutions.
The meeting also affirmed the continuation of working with the means and tools available with all parties, allies, and partners at the local level to confront the torrent of decisions by law, including memorandums, meetings, field activities, and sending position papers and pressure letters to decision-makers in a refusal to mutilate the mouths, and to emphasize adherence to the spirit of the law. And stop any attacks on it from any party.
This came as a result of Cabinet Decision 09/221/18/M.M.W./M.A. for the year 2023 issued on 9/11/2023 regarding the membership of employees of state institutions in the administrative bodies of charitable societies, civil society organizations, and non-profit companies upon the recommendation of The Minister of Social Development, based on the requirements of the public interest, and the powers granted to the government as stated in the decision, and after an extensive discussion with civil society institutions of its implications and its repercussions on civil work and basic rights, and at the invitation of the Palestinian NGO Network and the participation of institutions, civil coalitions, and human rights institutions. And legally via Zoom technology in the West Bank and Gaza Strip
Source: Maan News Agency