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| PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights PRESS RELEASE |
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Ref: 101/2005
Date: 05 September 2005
Time: 11:00 GMT
PCHR Calls upon the PNA to Implement the Military Service Law Equally
PCHR calls upon the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to fully implement the Military Service Law, which entered into force in July 2005. PCHR also urges the Ministry of Finance to reconsider the false implementation of the law while paying August’s salaries to security personnel, which reflected a state of discrimination based on sex, as female personnel in addition to thousands of security personnel were deprived of any increase to their salaries.
The PNA started to pay salaries to members of security services on Saturday evening, 3 September 2005 in accordance with the Military Service Law. It was noticed that female security members and those who joined security services after 2003 were deprived of any increase to their salaries. Unofficial sources estimated the number of security members who have not benefited from the implementation of the law at 17000-22000.
The Palestinian Minister of Finance, Dr. Salam Fayad, admitted unintentional mistake in the implementation of financial amendments in accordance with the new law, and called upon military personnel to refer to the Management and Organization Department in order to correct things. He also denied any discrimination among security personnel.
On Sunday, 4 September 2005, at least 250 security members organized a series of protests, during which they closed the Coastal Road opposite to al-Zahra town. Other security members set fire to tires and closed a number of roads in Gaza City. At the same time, a number of security members gathered in front of the Governorate of Khan Yunis protesting their deprivation of the financial increase in accordance with the new law. Protests have continued in Gaza City for the second consecutive day.
In light of the above:
1. PCHR calls upon the PNA to reconsider the implementation of the Military Service Law to ensure equality among security personnel, especially as salaries of thousands of them do not fulfill living needs of their families.
2. PCHR calls upon the Ministry of Finance to immediately pay increased salaries to female security members to ensure equality between the two sexes in security services.
3. PCHR calls upon the Ministry of Finance to ensure transparency and financial and administrative reform through paying salaries only to on duty security members and exclude those who are employed as security members, but live abroad or do no carry out their duties.
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