PCHR
is deeply concerned with regard to the latest measures taken by the Palestinian
Monetary Fund against dozens of charitable societies and NGOs, including
freezing their accounts in all banks inside the Occupied Palestinian
Territories. PCHR asserts that these
measures violate human rights standards, and warns of the tragic consequences
for thousands of poor Palestinian families which receive social, educational,
health and relief services from these organisations.
A
note circulated by the Palestinian Monetary Fund on 24 August 2003 to all banks
working in Palestine demanded that these banks freeze the accounts of 39
charitable societies and NGOs working in the Gaza Strip. According to the note, the action was based
on a decision by the Palestinian Attorney General. The note called for “abstaining from
releasing any funds from these accounts without a prior approval by the
Monetary Fund, according to the Attorney General’s decision.”
The
societies and NGOs mentioned in the note were all Islamic institutions which
have branches throughout the Gaza Strip.
These organisations include the Islamic Society, al-Salah Islamic
Society, Muslim Young Women Society, the Islamic Assembly and other
societies. PCHR learnt that these
societies are licensed and conduct their work in accordance with the law. They were informed of the freezing of their
accounts only after the information was released by the media.
These
societies focus on the poorest segments of Palestinian society, providing
social, educational, health and relief services. For example, on 26 August 2003, PCHR received
a letter from al-Salah Islamic Society, which explained impacts of the Monetary
Fund’s decision on its services and institutions. In addition to other activities and projects
mentioned in the society’s letter, the decision affects:
1. Two schools, in which 720
orphans receive education;
2. 8 kindergartens, in which
2000 children receive education;
3. 4 medical centers, which
are visited by 15000 patients monthly;
4. A total of US$ 250000 of
monthly financial aid provided for 3200 families, including 15000 children; and
5. A once-paid financial
assistance to 500 families monthly.
PCHR
is deeply concerned regarding these latest measures and:
1. Asserts that they negatively affect organisations that are part of the
Palestinian civilian society, providing important services for the poor.
2. Asserts that the services provided by these societies are currently
especially important as the humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories has deteriorated due to war crimes perpetrated by the Israeli
occupying forces against Palestinian civilians and property.
3. Asserts that these measures violate the right to form assemblies, which
is ensured by Palestinian Law and international human rights standards.
4. Calls upon the Palestinian Authority to cancel these measures and ensure
that these societies enjoy their right to carry out their activities and
provide needed services.
5. Asserts that the rule of law must be promoted without any exception to
ensure that no measure is taken in violation of the law.
