On the occasion of World Democracy Day… The International Commission “Hashd”: Rebuilding political institutions on democratic principles has become a national and constitutional necessity.

Reference number: 105/2023

Date: September 15, 2023

Native language: Arabic

Press release

On the occasion of World Democracy Day…

The International Commission “Hashd”: Rebuilding political institutions on democratic principles has become a national and constitutional necessity.

Every year on September 15, the whole world celebrates World Democracy Day to develop and adhere to democratic values and contribute to public democratic awareness. This year’s theme is “Empowering the Next Generation,” in recognition of the critical role that young people play in building democracy and ensuring that their voices are heard in choices that have a substantial impact on their world.

This occasion comes in light of the faltering Palestinian democratic experience, which created an unprecedented national impasse as a result of the exclusiveness in managing the political scene, the disruption of the work of the political system’s institutions, and the impossibility of national reconciliation, all of which contributed to the state of tension experienced by the Palestinian citizen, as well as the occupation’s violations and encroachment on Palestinian rights.

This is followed by ongoing obstruction of the democratic reform process and restriction of citizens’ political rights, most notably their right to political participation and the ability to elect their representatives. Among these is the Palestinian government’s persistent refusal to address the conclusions of the national consultative gathering, which achieved a national agreement on the importance of organizing and holding democratic elections for local governments in the Gaza Strip.

The valley of the administration’s ongoing internal schism and the Palestinian reluctance to move on; To the collapse and disruption of the Palestinian political system’s institutions in the organization and authority, which resulted in an unprecedented state of exclusivity and exclusion in the management of national institutions and public affairs, which resulted in the creation of obstacles to the implementation of reconciliation agreements and the disruption of all national, Egyptian, and Algerian efforts to complete reconciliation, as well as a lack of respect for the principles of the rule of law and national and popular consensus decisions.

In the dissolution of the restrictions and obligations of the Oslo Accords and the absence of the ability to agree on a national program and strategy in a scene that confirms the unwillingness to turn the page on division; And treat its causes and serious effects.

The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (Hashd), emphasizes that elections represent a national, constitutional, and legal entitlement, as well as a return to the will of the people after it had been marginalized for a long time, and encourages citizens to demand the exercise of their right to run and elect as the basic entry point to the democratic process; Noting that Palestine ranks worst in the Global Democracy Index, it registers and requires the following:

1. The International Commission (Hashd): emphasizes the need to commit the strategy of periodic and thorough elections as the sole method to peaceful power transition and considers this as a forerunner to completing the democratic road.
2. The International Commission (Hashd): Demands that the Palestinian political system be rebuilt based on a new social contract based on democratic and participatory principles, restoring the separation of powers, and ensuring the unity and independence of the judiciary in a manner that promotes civil peace and protects rights and freedoms.
3. The International Commission (Hashd): emphasizes the importance of re-strengthening the Palestinian political system’s position, conducting a comprehensive political review of the course of Palestinian political action, and developing a new Palestinian strategy in a way that can increase the chances of reconciliation and reaching an agreement on a comprehensive national project and a national democratic consensus that leads to a breakthrough in the system-building processes. Palestinian politics, halting degradation and decline, harnessing Palestinian energies, and inspiring hope in the spirits of its youth and Palestinian citizens.

Finished.