2018-06-20

West Bank

West Bank / Announcement

Mr. President Mahmoud Abbas
President of the State of Palestine
Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization

Subject: Demanding legal action regarding the statements of the Governor of Nablus, Mr. Akram Al-Rjoub

MUSAWA – The Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession extend their warmest greetings, stressing to your Excellency that MUSAWA performs in accordance with the Palestinian Basic Law and the Declaration of Independence. MUSAWA is committed to the concepts of freedom; participation; human rights, at the forefront of which is the right to life and human dignity; and involvement in the achievement of the national project. Furthermore, MUSAWA respects the structure of the Palestinian Basic Law, under which the governors are held accountable as representatives of your Excellency in the governorates in which they operate according to guidance from your Excellency. The governors shall abide by your Excellency’s vision and strategies in terms of administration and practice, especially that the main task assigned to them is maintaining civil peace, social unity, and security for all citizens on a basis of equality without distinction as to race, sex, color, religion, political opinion or disability, in accordance with Article (9) of the Palestinian Basic Law. In addition, the said governors shall maintain the intrinsic link between the Palestinian people, their history, and their homeland. The ultimate goal is to urge the world to recognize the rights of our people and our independent national entity on an equal basis with other peoples of the world and as stipulated in the preamble of the Basic Law, which serves as the foundation for organizing the mutual relationship between the Authority and the people as a first step towards identifying the distinctive features of the civil society capable of achieving independence and enacting the unified laws and regulations of the Palestinian country, in realization of the foundations established by the Basic Law which serve as a manifestation of  the collective consciousness of our people.

Mr. President,

The statements made by the Governor of Nablus on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, violate the authorities and duties of governors. In addition, the statements constitute a violation of the rights and human dignity of Palestinian citizens, which might contribute to destabilizing the unity of the Palestinian community, especially that they involved terminology and verbal threats which are not suitable for a governor. This requires legal action on your Excellency’s part, including holding the governor accountable at the administrative and political levels in realization of the rule of law and the vitality of an invincible national unity.

Given our legal and national responsibility, without prejudice to any natural or juridical person and away from personal interests of any kind whatsoever, we address this request to your Excellency in advocacy for the unity of our people and our national project and in defense of the rights, security, and safety of citizens. We hope to receive a response to our letter as appropriate.

Issued on 20/06/2018

MUSAWA