A Press Release Issued by National Factions

Demanding the Implementation of the NGO Law

16 June 1999

While the need for strengthening national unity and promoting the participation of Palestinian society in the struggle for national aspirations and steadfastness on Palestinian land prevails, national factions and forces were shocked by an orchestrated and systematic media campaign against Palestinian non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This campaign denies the national role of NGOs against the occupation, their support for the steadfastness of the people of Palestine in their country, their prevention of the uprooting of the Palestinian people, and their determination to make clear the oppressive practices of the Israeli occupation forces.

This campaign is carried out at a time when a large number of NGOs are participating with our people and national political forces in the developmental and national activities against settlements and the judaization of all of the Occupied Territories, especially Jerusalem. These NGOs are also participating in recruiting worldwide public opinion in support of the Palestinian cause.

It is worth noting that Palestinian NGOs have repeatedly demanded the ratification of the law that governs their activities and their relations with the Palestinian Authority. The relevant law was discussed seriously during the last year by the Palestinian Legislative Council and was passed on its third reading. The Council even discussed the law in a fourth reading after comments and modifications provided by the Executive. The final draft was adopted by the Council on May 12, 1999.

This law guarantees the commitment of all NGOs to the principles of transparency and accountability. What is needed now is to implement the law passed by the Council. Rejecting the law will result in treating the NGOs in an arbitrary or subjective way, especially when the law specifies the procedures for monitoring these organizations in a democratic manner.

We share the NGOs’ demands to implement the law while we also demand the ratification, publication, and implementation of all other laws passed by the Council. The majority of these laws have not yet been implemented. This must be done in order to implement the rule of law. We emphasize the importance of the national and developmental role of Palestinian NGOs as well as their role in promoting democracy in Palestinian society and people’s participation in the decision-making process. We insist on the right of Palestinian NGOs to work freely in a democratic environment adhering to the rule of law. Palestinian national and political forces support the democratic and national role of this important sector and call for safeguarding the independence of NGOs and strengthening internal democracy and transparency within these organizations. These organizations are the people’s organizations, serving their interests and goals in the struggle for liberation and the building of the Palestinian independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

 

1. The Palestinian National Liberation Movement – Fateh
2. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
3. The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine
4. The Palestinian People’s Party
5. The Democratic-Building Movement
6. The Popular Struggle Front