( 14.07.99 )
There have been news reports that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) is currently considering implementing the recent, controversial Egyptian NGOs law in Palestine. It must be noted that the Egyptian NGOs law contradicts the spirit of democratic and constructive dialogue. That law was implemented in order to impede Egyptian NGOs and deprive them of the freedom to work within a legal framework that should adopt transparency and accountability. The Egyptian NGOs, political parties, and intellectuals have protested the passing of that law.
The Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) has drafted a very modern, progressive law to govern the work of NGOs in Palestine. The draft law guarantees monitoring the NGOs and regulating their work.
Therefore, resorting to the Egyptian or any other law in order to bypass the Palestinian draft law is a grave legislative error and a dangerous precedent. The PNA cannot disregard the PLC. This will widen the gap between the authority and the masses. The PNA must respect the representatives of the Palestinian people in the PLC.
The Palestinian people are in a very critical transition
period. We should all have the patience and foresight to achieve
our goals of liberating the land and establishing our state. We should
not diminish the important achievements on the ground. Any attempt
to undermine the democratic and constitutional basis of our state endangers
our nation with polarization, internal conflict, and fragmentation.
Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj
President,
Board of Directors
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