Yesterday, Saturday 17 March 2007, the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) bestowed confidence into a new Palestinian unity government, under which auspices most of the Palestinian factions and parliament blocks are represented.
This development comes after a period of sharp political division and infighting in the Gaza Strip.
It is hoped that it will promote a largely accepted Palestinian political, social and economic platform.
Al Mezan expresses satisfaction towards the formation of the new government, which has serious challenges and responsibilities to meet.
The government will immediately have to deal with augmenting rates of poverty and unemployment and serious infringements upon the law as the state of insecurity has reached its peak in 2007.
Although the Center is aware of the challenges facing the new government under continued international sanctions, closure of the OPT by Israel and the continued Israeli attacks, it is confidant that the government is capable of improving the situation if it has the will to do so.
The new government should take a body of internal procedures to regain the confidence of its people and ensure their security and wellbeing.
Such a step would positively affect the state of human rights and the economic, social and cultural conditions in the OPT.
Based on its monitoring and promotion of human rights in OPT, Al Mezan wishes to submit a number of issues for the consideration of the Prime Minister and the new government.
These issues are believed to constitute a significant threshold to handling the situation and put an end to the state of insecurity, and promote the rule of law and the administration of justice to protect and ensure the respect of human rights.
Al Mezan calls on the new government to: Investigate all the incidents that involved violations of the law, such as illegal use of arms, kidnapping of Palestinian and foreign citizens and killing women.
The results of such investigations should be made public and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.
Determine the role and scope of the security services with protection personal security for citizens at its heart.
The government is invited to recognize and reinforce the role of the police in safeguard the fair implementation of the law and ensure non-interference in its work.
Prohibit security personnel from carrying arms after official working hours; prevent individuals from carrying arms in public regardless of their affiliation, and ban gunfire on private or public occasions.
Conduct overall review of the judicial institution including its structure in light of the Chapter 6 of the amended Basic Law of 2003, and Chapter 3 of the Law of the Judiciary No.
1 of 2002 and relative to the independence of judges.
Implement the rulings of courts and show full respect the supremacy of the judiciary in order to promote citizens' confidence into it.
Those who interfere or do not abide by the decisions of courts must be punish under the law, especially if they are public servants.
Apply political, social and economic policies that aim at eradicating poverty, unemployment and suffering, and contribute to a social and economic development.
Give greater attention to cases of access to health outside OPT, especially for those citizens who cannot find adequate service in OPT or lack the means to access them.
Adopt essential policies to foster transparency and integrity in management in order to ensure equal opportunity and equality before the law.
This necessitates explicit rejection of politicized recruitment of civil servants.
As Al Mezan submits these issues to the new government, it calls upon the PLC to effectively pursue its mission of monitoring the performance of the executive authority and holds it accountable.
This is an inevitable guarantee for the respect of law and the protection of citizens' rights.
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