The Palestinian Human Rights Organizations Council (PHROC) has urged the Palestine Liberation Organization and the government to reaffirm their commitments towards prisoners, the injured, and the families of martyrs. They call for the revocation of the president’s decision that alters the system for distributing entitlements.’ PHROC has been closely overseeing the president’s move to shift the responsibility of these financial supports to the Palestinian National Economic Empowerment Institution, viewing such a change as a serious breach of constitutional rights and a national value enshrined in the Palestinian Declaration of Independence.
The Council’s deep concern revolves around how this decision relieves the Palestinian government of its obligations toward these vulnerable groups, thereby undermining long-established legal rights. They perceive it as a complicit reaction to years of political pressure on the Palestinian Authority regarding its treatment of freedom fighters. This process includes a presidential decree that dissolved the Ministry of Prisoners’ Affairs and shifted payments from the Ministry of Finance, ultimately leading to the suspension of payments under existing laws.
PHROC warns that capitulating to ongoing political pressures jeopardises the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to self-determination amidst plans of displacement and ethnic cleansing. Concurrently, the council highlights the urgent need for a unified response to the crimes committed against Palestinians by the occupying forces, calling for international accountability rather than yielding to forces attempting to dilute the Palestinian cause.
Over the years of occupation, Israeli forces have been implicated in war crimes against Palestinian prisoners, subjecting them to torture and unfair trials under illegitimate military orders. Furthermore, the displacement of prisoners is executed in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, while the occupying state exploits them economically by imposing hefty fines in military courts and charging unfair prices for basic necessities in prisons.
These unacceptable violations stem from a prolonged unlawful occupation that obstructs the exercise of Palestinian self-determination. The International Court of Justice has reinforced that states should not condone or assist in perpetuating the status quo resulting from Israel’s illegal presence. The occupying state must take full accountability for the damages inflicted by its actions, including due reparations to Palestinian prisoners unlawfully detained and tried in flawed military judicial systems.
PHROC calls for immediate action, urging the revocation of the decision affecting prisoners’ rights and advocating for a collaborative dialogue about the appropriation of Palestinian funds. They stress the necessity for well-defined mechanisms that abide by the Basic Law and reaffirm the Palestine Liberation Organization’s commitment to supporting prisoners, the wounded, and the families of martyrs in their quest for justice and dignity.
The Palestinian Human Rights Organizations Council has called for the revocation of a presidential decision that alters the entitlements for prisoners and their families, viewing it as a violation of constitutional rights. They argue that this shift absolves the government of its responsibilities and undermines longstanding legal precedents. The Council stresses the need for unity and accountability amid the ongoing violence and occupation faced by Palestinians, urging for reparative justice and adherence to established laws.
In conclusion, the Palestinian Human Rights Organizations Council strongly opposes the president’s decision regarding the entitlements of prisoners, urging a return to established commitments. They advocate for collective action against the destabilising pressures at play and underscore the need for reparations and fair treatment for all affected Palestinians. Ultimately, the Council emphasises the importance of unity and adherence to the legal frameworks that safeguard fundamental rights.
Original Source: www.addameer.org
