The undersigned civil and human rights organizations are closely and deeply concerned about the issuance of the decree-law on local elections, which ignored the substantive comments submitted by civil society organizations during the discussion of previous drafts. Even more alarming is that the issued version includes a new condition that did not appear in any of the drafts that were previously discussed: requiring every election candidate to sign a declaration committing to the program of the Palestine Liberation Organization, its international obligations, and the decisions of international legitimacy.

The inclusion of this condition constitutes a fundamental infringement on the right to political participation as guaranteed by international human rights standards, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the State of Palestine has acceded and is legally bound.

The Covenant emphasizes that this right must not be restricted by ideological or political conditions that undermine the principles of pluralism and equal opportunity.

This condition also contradicts the Declaration of Independence, which laid the foundations for freedom, democracy, and political pluralism, as well as the Palestinian Basic Law, which guarantees rights and freedoms, including the right to political participation.

Moreover, adding this condition abruptly, and after the conclusion of national consultations, undermines the credibility of the dialogue in which civil society organizations participated, and weakens trust in the consultation process itself.

Based on their responsibility to uphold the values of integrity, justice, and freedom of political participation, the undersigned organizations call on the Palestinian government to immediately withdraw this unnecessary condition, which negatively affects citizens’ confidence in the electoral process.

Given the seriousness of this amendment and its impact on the electoral environment, the organizations will conduct a comprehensive assessment of their participation in all election-related activities, including monitoring, awareness-raising, training, and other programs supporting the electoral process.

Signatories:

• The following networks and coalitions, representing the vast majority of active institutions in Palestine, have signed:
• The Independent Commission for Human Rights
• The Palestinian NGO Network
• The Civil Coalition for Elections
• The Palestinian Human Rights Organizations Council
• The Coalition for Accountability and Integrity – AMAN
• The Gender Forum in Local Governance
• In addition, a number of individual institutions signed the statement in recognition of its importance at this stage:
• The Arab World Observatory for Democracy and Elections
• The Center for Media, Human Rights and Democracy – SHAMS
• The Civic Coalition for Judicial Independence and the Rule of Law – ISTIQLAL
• Al-Haq
• The Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession – MUSAWA
• Bisan Center for Research and Development
• The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy – MIFTAH
• The Palestinian Youth Association for Leadership and Rights Activation – PYALARA
• The Center for Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights
• The Women’s Studies Center
• The Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling
• The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA)
• The Palestinian Empowerment and Local Development Organization – REFORM
• The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development
• The Union of Civil Society Organizations for Development
• Health Care
• Youth of the Future
• The Cultural Forum
• Al-Ghad Foundation
• Al-Awda Center
• Wasil Center
• Kanaan Association