Palestinian National Authority

“ ARTICLE 15 Punishment shall only be imposed upon individuals. Collective punishment is prohibited. Crime and punishment shall only be determined by law. Punishment shall be imposed only by judicial order, and shall apply only to actions committed after the promulgation of law. ”

“ Neither the Prime Minister nor any Ministers may purchase or lease any government property, not even through public auction, nor may any one of them have a financial interest in any contract concluded with government bodies, nor may he, while being a member of the Cabinet, be a member of the board of directors of any company or carry on a trade or practice a profession or receive a salary or any other renumeration from any company or any other source. ”

“ The fact that the temporary Basic Law was meant to serve for the interim period makes the case that this is a crucial step along the path to achieving the national and historical rights of the Palestinian people. No one can abolish the peoples’ right to seek the right of return and self-determination, including the establishment of the independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. ”

“ All persons shall be equal before the courts and the law, and are entitled to the equal protection of the law without discrimination on any ground such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, birth or other status. ”

“ ARTICLE 22 Social, Health, disability, and retirement insurance shall be regulated by law. The welfare of families of martyrs’, prisoners of war, the injured, and the disabled, shall be regulated by law. ”

“ Security forces and the police are a regular force created for the service of the people, protection of society and to maintain security and public order. It shall perform its duties within the limits provided by law with full respect of rights and freedoms without prejudice or discrimination. All persons must cooperate with and assist the police in the performance of their duties. ”

“ Chapter Seven — Provisions on the state of Emergency ARTICLE 110 The President of the National Authority may declare a state of emergency by a decree when there is a threat to national security caused by war, invasion, armed insurrection, or at a time of natural disaster for a period not exceed thirty (30) days. The emergency state may be extended for another period of thirty (30) days after the approval of two thirds of the Legislative Council Members. The decree declaring a state of emergency shall state its purpose, the territory to which it applies and its duration. ”

“ Every person shall have the right to participate in public life and to nominate himself to public office in accordance with the law.
ARTICLE 13
Every person has the right to liberty and security of person. No person shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No person shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedures as are established by law. ”

“ Chapter One ARTICLE 1 Palestine is part of the large Arab World, and the Palestinian people are part of the Arab Nation. Arab Unity is an objective which the Palestinian People shall work to achieve.
ARTICLE 2 The Palestinian People are the source of all power, which shall be exercised through the legislative, executive, and judicial authorities, based on the principle of separation of powers, and in the manner set forth in this Basic Law. ”

“ ARTICLE 51 The Council shall accept the resignation of its Members, and establish its own Standing Orders, as well as rules of questioning its Members, in a way which does not contradict with the provisions of this Basic Law, or with the general constitutional principles. The Council shall be solely responsible for maintaining order and security during sessions and meetings of its committees. Security men shall not be present in the Council, unless requested by the Speaker, or by the Head of the Committee according to the situation. ”

“ Except in cases of flagrante delicto, no person may be arrested, searched, detained or have his liberty restricted in any manner or prevented from free movement, except by order given by a competent court or the prosecution service in accordance with the law and only where such is required for the needs of the investigations and security of society. ”

“ If the position of one Member or more became vacant due to death, resignation, or loss of legibility, elections hall be conducted in the concerned constituency to elect a successor in accordance with law. ARTICLE 49 Before taking on any responsibility, every Member shall swear the following oath before the Council: "I swear by Allah Almighty to be faithful to the Homeland, and to preserve the rights and interests of the people and nation, and to respect law and perform my duties in the best manner, as Allah is my witness". ”

“ Punishment is personal, and no one shall be held guilty of any criminal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a criminal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. ”

“ The law shall guarantee the independence of universities, higher institutes, and scientific research centers, in a manner that guarantees the freedom of scientific research, as well as literary, artistic, and cultural creativity. ”

“ The freedom of formation of political parties is guaranteed provided that their aims and activities do not conflict with the basic principles prescribed in this Basic Law and that they conduct their activities in a peaceful manner. ”

“ Each administrative unit shall be entitled to exercise the powers, carry out the duties and issue resolutions, instructions and regulations for that purpose within the mandate prescribed to it by law.
ARTICLE 99
Appointment to public offices and specialized bodies and institutions shall be on the basis of competence, experience and ability to perform in accordance with the nature of the public office and functions and aims of the body or institution. ”

“ Law prohibits beating children and treating them cruelly by their relatives. Shall be segregated in case they are sentenced form adults, and treated in a manner which is appropriate to their age and rehabilitation. ARTICLE 30 Litigation is a protected and guaranteed right to all people. ”

“ There shall be a Chief Justice, in that capacity, shall be the Head of the Judicial Authority and President of the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice shall be a judge of the Supreme Court appointed by Presidential Decree with the approval of the High Judiciary council except that the first Chief Justice appointed in pursuance of this Article shall not require such approval. ”

“ Members of the Council shall enjoy legal immunity during the life of the Council and save for arrestable crimes discoverd during their commission, no criminal proceedings may be instituted against a Member except with the permission of the Council, and when the Council is not in session, the Speaker's permission, who shall inform the Council at its next session the action he took. ”

“ Everyone charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty in a lawful trial in which he has been afforded guarantees to defend himself. Every person charged with a serious criminal offence shall have a lawyer to defend him. ”

“ Minorities, religious or otherwise, and others who meet the conditions prescribed by law shall have the right to establish private schools and educational institutions, provided they observe the general conditions laid down in the law ”

“ Every person who has been arrested or detained shall be informed promptly on his arrest of the cause thereof, and shall, without delay, be informed in detail and in a language which he understands of the nature and cause of the charge against him. ”