2023-03-21

west bank

West Bank

MUSAWA-The Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession, demanded the cancellation of the decree-law dissolving the elected Medical Association council, and the appointment of a constituent council composed of 1 president and 12 members whose names have been mentioned in the decree-law.

MUSAWA stated today, Tuesday, that the dissolution of the Medical Association council and the appointment of a constituent council made up of 1 president and 12 members whose names have been mentioned in the decree-law, which granted them a term of up to a year and a half, despite there being no mention in the preamble of the decree-law regarding the opinion of the general assembly of the medical association and its elected council.

MUSAWA added that the preamble did not offer any justification or urgent need that calls for its issuance. This disregard of the Medical Association’s general assembly and its elected council is an interference in the association’s internal affairs in a way that negates its independence, violates its rights and the constitutional rights of its members, and bodes dire consequences that threaten the existence of unions (associations), their mission and role in defending its members’ rights and its societal purpose.

MUSAWA states that all the attention turns now to the position of the elected council, its general assembly, and not only the position of other unions and civil society organizations, but also the position of citizens whose constitutional rights have been violated to the point where it became owned by the executive authority. The same authority that has violated constitutional rights and principles, stripped the citizens of their right to participate, and wiped out their independence.

MUSAWA also demanded to uphold the decision to cancel the decree-law immediately, reminding that the establishment of a constituent council used to be approved by the board directors of the Palestinian Bar Association in Gaza, the Jordan Bar Association (Jerusalem Branch), and the Arab Lawyers Union, as the role of the executive authority was simply limited to the issuing process without any intervention in the formation. This situation is subject to change as the union reality of the lawyers operates under three Bar Associations, unlike the doctors where there’s only one Medical Association, not to mention that the decree-law did not add anything new except the dissolution of the elected council of the Medical Association, and the appointment of a constituent council in the absence of the elected council and the general assembly of the Medical Association.

The statement added: Therefore, in adherence with the constitutional rights and principles and upholding the independence of the general assemblies of the unions (associations) and their right to choose their leaders, we renew our opposition to the unconstitutional issuance of decree-laws. Accordingly, we demand that the executive authority ends its control over the unions and associations, preserve the independence of their institutional and professional decisions and prohibit any intervention in their work.