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| PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights PRESS RELEASE |
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Ref: 49/2004
Date: 21 March 2004
Time: 12:00 GMT
In Response to a Petition Submitted by PCHR, the Palestinian High Court of Justice Orders Release of Bank Accounts of al-Salah Islamic Society
PCHR welcomes the decision taken by the Palestinian High Court of Justice in its session held on Sunday morning, 21 March 2004, ordering the release of al-Salah Islamic Society bank accounts.
PCHR has pursued this case following a memorandum by the Palestinian Monetary Fund on 24 August 2003, which demanded that all working banks in Palestine to freeze accounts of 39 charitable societies and NGOs working in the Gaza Strip, including al-Salah Islamic Society. According to the memorandum, the action was based on a decision issued by the Palestinian Attorney General. These societies affected provide essential basic social, educational, health, and relief services to the poorest and most vulnerable elements of Palestinian society. The decision has paralyzed activities of these societies, which provide important humanitarian services to thousands of Palestinian families.
On 16 September 2003, the Palestinian High Court of Justice accepted a petition submitted by PCHR submitted earlier on 10 September 2003, requesting a temporary injunction on the memorandum circulated by the Palestinian Monetary Fund. The court had postponed the consideration of the petition in 11 consecutive sessions, during which the Attorney General failed to provide legal justification for freezing the accounts of al-Salah Islamic Society.
Al-Salah Islamic Society was established in accordance with the Law of Societies of 1907 and the amending order, and was registered at the Palestinian Ministry of Interior in 2000 according to the same law. The society changed its legal status to conform to the Palestinian Law of Charitable Societies and NGOs of 2000. The society was not charged with any offence and no court decision was issued against it.
PCHR welcomes the court’s decision, which serves to ensure the rule of law. PCHR urges concerned parties to implement the decision with respect for the authority of the highest judicial body in Palestine and ensure al-Salah Islamic Society’s right to carry out its activities which serve hundreds of Palestinian families.
Public Document
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For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 – 2825893
PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail:pchr@pchrgaza.org, Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org
