Al-Istiqlal hosts the first scientific conference entitled “The Role of the Palestinian State in Promoting Public Rights, Freedoms and the Rule of Law in the Context of the Palestinian Experience”

2022-05-10

Under the patronage of HE Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Al-Istiqlal University hosted the first scientific conference entitled “The Role of the Palestinian State in promoting Public Rights, Freedoms and the Rule of Law in the Context of the Palestinian Experience”, which was organized by the Palestinian community association for Ph.D. Holders in the Public Service, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and five Palestinian universities (Al-Istiqlal, Al-Azhar, Al-Khadouri, Al-Quds Open, Al-Aqsa).

The conference was attended by HE Maj. Gen. Tawfiq Al-Tirawi, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al-Istiqlal University, and the member of the Central Committee, Mr. Rawhi Fattouh, the President of the National Council, Maj. Gen. Ziad Hab Al-Rih, the Minister of Interior, Prof. Dr. Mohammed Al-Shalaldeh, the Minister of Justice, His Eminence Sheikh Hatem Al-Bakri, the Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Maj. Gen. Talal Dwaikat, the General Political Commissioner, Mr. Ahmed Al-Tamimi, the Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Prof. Dr. Saleh Abu Osba, the president of Al-Istiqlal University, and the heads and representatives of governmental and private organizations and institutions.

At the beginning of his speech, Maj. Gen. Al-Tirawi expressed his happiness at receiving this group of national statures and legal and juridical experts at Al-Istiqlal University in a conference of a national and unitary nature, adding, “Despite our being under the clutches of the Israeli occupation, we will remain free in our country, and we must bridging the culture of freedom and deepening it in all components and institutions of the state.”

Furthermore, Mr. Fattouh referred to the efforts of the Palestinian government to come up with laws regulating public life in light of the authorities entrusted to it, and its continuous keenness to develop the legal system towards democracy and the preservation of human rights and freedoms, and to build a broader partnership with official and civil institutions that are relevant and specialized, and its complete readiness to take any proposals that would change towards better future, stressing that our Palestinian people have the right and self-determination depends on our actual performance on the ground.

Moreover, Prof. Dr. Al-Shalaldeh expressed his hope that the conference would come out with fruitful results and recommendations and submit them to decision-makers, especially in light of the exceptional Palestinian situation and the violent systematic practices by the occupation, such as willful killing, forced displacement and demolishing homes, and the accompanying noticeable shortcomings in the global judicial mechanisms implemented in this regard, which calls for accountability and prosecution of its heinous crimes in international courts.

For his part, Maj. Gen. Hab Al-Rih spoke in detail about the Ministry of Interior's work program for public rights and freedoms, which includes several axes, including ensuring standards of integrity and oversight in working departments, developing operational and development plans and visions to strengthen the complaints system within the security sector, granting the competent authorities permission to conduct rounds and periodic visits to the detention centers, inspect the conditions of detainees, deepen the portfolio of human rights training materials, and the principles of good governance and security governance.

Also, Sheikh Al-Bakri explained that the legislation in force derives its provisions from the Book of God - the Almighty - and the Sunnah of His Noble Prophet, and among the most important rights guaranteed by our true religion is freedom of belief, achieving justice, and laying the foundations of human equality, which is positively reflected on family stability and community relations.

And, Maj. Gen. Dwaikat expressed his aspiration for the conference to formulate a future course of action that ensures the preservation of rights and freedoms, by studying the achievements, avoiding gaps, being open to the concerned authorities, and improving government and institutional performance towards a philosophy based on respect for the dignity of the citizen, and reduce the gap between the people and the authority to zero.

In brief terms, Prof. Dr. Abu Osba said that  Al-Istiqlal University is keen to embrace scientific research, support the national and academic process, motivate researchers on a permanent and continuous basis, and increase awareness and culture at all levels and in various fields.

Also, Mr. Al-Tamimi, a member of the Executive Committee and Head of the Department of Human Rights and Civil Society, noted the adherence of Palestinians to their land and rights, and this is demonstrated by their daily struggle and armed with persistence and determination to combat the settlers’ continuous attacks on Al-Quds Al-Sharif and our holy sites.

And, through a televised speech, Mr. Ahmed Helles, a member of the Fatah Central Committee, conveyed the greetings of the people in Gaza, pointing out the conference’s role in raising a qualitative human rights issue that casts a shadow over the specificity of the Palestinian experience, and its full commitment and full respect for international conventions and treaties, with the need for complementary roles and their sharing in the construction phase, liberation, and consolidation of basic freedoms, as the peoples of the world.

The President of the Supreme Constitutional Court, Counselor Muhammad Al-Haj Qassem, said, "Despite the recent establishment of the court, as it did not last more than 6 years, and the plurality of legal interpretations, it had a prominent role in imposing oversight on the executive and legislative authorities and its endeavor to consolidate political, social and economic freedoms and make progress in this connection."

For his part, Dr. Ammar Dweik, the head of the Independent Commission for Human Rights, indicated the consensus of the human rights on the racism of the occupation and the need to expose its crimes, and to benefit from Palestine’s accession to many international protocols and treaties, besides taking into account cultural and value factors.

And, he announced that the Commission would provide a financial reward for the winning researches after their arbitration and evaluation by the Scientific Committee, in support of the critical role played by these papers in supporting and improving the human rights level in Palestine.

Moreover, Dr. Suleiman Jaradat, the Chairman of the Preparatory Committee, and Chairman of the Independent Commission for Doctoral Holders praised the efforts of all partners and contributors to the success and completion of the conference, which aims to establish the rule of law, maintain civil peace and community security, confront Israeli violations, renounce all forms of violence and consolidate positive dialogue.

In conclusion, Mr. Shawan Jabarin, the President of Al-Haq Foundation for Human Rights, stressed the entitlement of Palestinians to freedom as an acquired right, and the importance of involving the younger generations in political life and the electoral experience, to enjoy active and vital participation that contributes to pushing the wheel of development forward.