Ref: 63/2023
Date: 06 June 2023
Time: 12:40 GMT
The Public Prosecution in Ramallah summoned Dr. ‘Azmi al-Shu’abi, Consultant to the AMAN Coalition’s Board of Directors for Anti-Corruption Affairs, and Mr. ‘Essam Haj Hussain, the Executive Director of the Coalition, on grounds of their work on monitoring and exposing corruption.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) is shocked by the Palestinian Public Prosecution’s summoning of human rights activists for their role in monitoring and exposing corruption despite the Prosecution’s dedication to protecting human rights and freedom of expression.
According to PCHR’s follow-up, the Public Prosecution summoned Dr. al-Shu’abi and Mr. Hussain on 05 and 06 June 2023 respectively for interrogation upon a complaint filed against themby the Presidency Office after publishing AMAN’s annual report titled as: “The Occupation, Division, and Political Corruption: A Closed Loop that Feeds Each Other”. The report addresses several corruption cases in the Palestinian Authority (PA), including the case of whitewashing the dates of the settlements in which Palestinian and Israeli merchants are involved in exporting settlement dates under a “Made in Palestine” label. A complaint in this regard has been filed to the Anti-Corruption Commission since 2020. The AMAN’s annual report emphasizes involvement of PA powerful figures in this case and their influence on the investigations.
PCHR affirms that it closely follows up the updates on the summoning of Dr. al-Shu’abi and Mr. Hussain and reminds the PA of its obligations to respect freedom of expression and allow the associations to exercise their activity freely pursuant to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, specifically Articles (19 and 22).
PCHR emphasizes that the Public Prosecution shall be strict when responding to any complaints that restrict freedom of expression, and that summonses shall be the last resort based on sufficient evidence, which proves misuse of freedom of expression especially when it comes to civil society organizations (CSOs) and their essential role in creating the balance necessary for protecting democracy and human rights.
PCHR reiterates that the law obliges the Public Prosecution to be independent, professional and impartial in its work, and the Attorney General is the legal conscience of the nation, the guardian of the rule of law and victims’ advocate; therefore, there is no place for politicization or selectivity in its work.
PCHR calls on the Public Prosecution to protect human rights and cease the investigation and pursuit of Dr. al-Shu’aibi and MR. Hussein as this would jeopardize the judiciary’s status and credibility.
PCHR stresses that the Public Prosecution’s role lies in interrogating with those involved in corruption instead of persecuting the organizations that try to protect the Palestinian society from corruption.