Consultations to Form a Civil Coalition for Popular Oversight over the Judiciary.

Ramallah - Representatives of human rights organizations, universities and colleges, jurists and legists in the West Bank and Gaza Strip unanimously agreed on the importance of continued consultation to form a civil coalition for protection and popular oversight on the Judiciary.  This agreement came recently during a meeting called for by the Civil Authority for Judiciary Independence and the Rule of Law (ISTIQLAL) and the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) at the headquarters of the ICHR in Ramallah and Gaza, using the video conference technology.

During a discussion on the draft Articles of Association of the Coalition which was submitted by the Civil Authority for Independence of Judiciary, the participants submitted numerous comments to develop the draft, the proposed work mechanisms, the identity and name of the Coalition, as well as several other comments relating to the Articles of Association and the objectives of the Coalition.

During the meeting which was attended by dozens of people, a committee was formed and assigned to review and develop the draft by-law in order to be presented to the constituent board of the Coalition. The committee was formed of members coming from: the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR), (ISTIQLAL) Aman Foundation, Musawah, Qader Foundation, E'lam Tam, Judges Club Association, Civil Society Studies Center, Palestinian Women Society and the following academics: Dr. Nafei Al Hassan, Dr. Bassam Qawasemah, Mazen Noruddin, Dr. Najah Doqmaq, and Advocate Ali Shqairat who was authorized to chair the committee.

Advisor Eisa Abu Sharar; the Chairman of the Board of Directors of (ISTIQLAL), Dr. Ammar Al Dowaik, the General Manager of the ICHR and Mr. Salama Baseso, the Managing Director of the ICHR opened the meeting and emphasized the importance of formation of a civil coalition for popular oversight and protection of the judiciary.

Dr. Dowaik stated that the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR), in its capacity as the national institution concerned with human rights in Palestine and in harmony with its strategic plan to help in the formation of national coalitions and to synergize the efforts of the civil society, supports the formation of this Coalition and will continue its work and efforts within the Coalition as a superintendent.

Mr. Majed Arori; the Executive Manager of ISTIQLAL presented a paper they prepared on the Coalition. The meeting was moderated by Mr. Jehad Harb.

Further, the meeting was attended by representatives of the Council of Human Rights Organizations, NGO Network, Bar Association, Al-Quds Legal Aid Center, Adwar Foundation, Observatory of Social and Political Policies, Shams Center for Human Rights, Mada Media Freedom Center, Horreyyat Center, Public Freedom Committee, Ramallah Human Rights Center, Yalo Studies and Development Society, Legal Group, Public Union for Independent Associations, Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims, Hemaya Center for Human Rights‎‏, Al Dameer Association for Human Rights, the Palestinian Center for Democracy and Conflict Resolution, Civil Society Studies Center, Palestinian Medical Relief Society, Aisha Association for Woman and Child Protection, Women Affairs Center, Media Development at Birzeit University, Arab Center for Agricultural Development, Community , Media Center, the Palestinian Institute for Communication and Development and Academics from Law Colleges at the following universities: Al- Isra, Police Sciences, Herbon University, Palestine Civil University, Modern University and Al- Quds University