Palestine Liberation Organization

“ 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. ”

“ Neither the Chief Minister nor any Ministers of the Council 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 Council, 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 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Motherhood, childhood, the family, the young and the youth have the right to protection and to the availability of proper opportunities for the development of their talents. Such protection is a duty on society to be discharged by the Palestinian authorities within the limits stipulated by law. ”

“ Work is a right, duty and honor. The Palestinian authorities shall endeavor to provide equal opportunities to citizens to enable them to exercise this right under laws which provide for social justice. ”

“ Palestine recognises and respects the fundamental human rights and freedoms prescribed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and other Conventions and Covenants which secure such rights and freedoms. Palestinian authorities shall adhere to the said international agreements.
ARTICLE 9
Every person has the right to life. ”

“ 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 85
Appointment to public offices and specialized councils 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 council or institution. ”

“ In compliance by Palestine with its spiritual heritage, Palestinian authorities shall provide conditions for tolerant co-existence between religions in Jerusalem and the rest of Palestine.
ARTICLE 32
Freedom of belief and worship and exercise of religious functions are guaranteed, subject to non-violation of public order or morality.
ARTICLE 33
Freedom of access and visit to holy places and religious buildings and sites are guaranteed for all, citizens and non-citizens, without discrimination. Freedom of worship for the followers of such places is also guaranteed. ”

“ No Palestinian may be deported, deprived of his nationality, prevented or prohibited from returning to or leaving Palestine or surrendered to any foreign authority except in accordance with extradition agreements. ”

“ 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 ”

“ A simple majority shall form a legal quorum. Resolutions of the Council shall be signed by the Chairman of the Meeting and the Ministers and shall be implementing by them, each within his competence. The Chairman of the Meeting shall be the President if he attends, or if he does not attend, the Chief Minister.
ARTICLE 69
The Council shall have a Secretary General who shall organize its meetings, prepare the agenda and minutes of the meetings, follow up the implementation of its resolutions and keep the papers and files of the Council. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Judgements shall be given and executed in the name of the people. It shall be a criminal offence subject to prosecution and punishment in the manner provided in the law for any public official required by law to execute decisions of the courts to refuse or suspend such execution. ”

“ Every person has the right to education which shall be free and compulsory until the secondary stage in public institutions. The Palestinian authorities shall endeavor to provide education at all stages ”

“ Before assuming office, the President shall take the following oath in the presence of the Bureau of the Presidency of the Palestine National Council:
_I swear by Almighty God to be faithful to the Nation of Palestine and to its national heritage and to preserve this Basic Law and the law, serve the Palestinian People and faithfully carry out the duties entrusted to me according to law._
ARTICLE 52
The term of the Presidency shall be five (5) years and no person may be President for more than two consecutive terms. ”

“ If, subsequent to the commission of the offence, provision is made by law for the imposition of the lighter penalty, the offender shall benefit thereby. No one shall be liable to be tried or punished again for an offence for which he has already been finally convicted or acquitted in accordance with the applicable law and penal procedure ”

“ Specialized public councils and institutions shall be established by resolutions of the Council to assist the Council in formulating policies within the general fields of activity. Such councils and institutions may be autonomous bodies enjoying juridical personality exercising activities entrusted to them under their respective resolutions ”

“ The Council, its Chief Minister and Ministers shall exercise the powers and competence provided for their predecessors in legislation in force on the effective date of this Basic Law, until such laws are amended or replaced, as the case may be.
III Security forces and the police
ARTICLE 79
(1) 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. ”

“ The executive authority shall avail the widest opportunity for the participation of citizens, political parties, trade unions and other organizations in the discussion of policies before their determination, through announcing such policies and consultation with the said bodies. ”

“ No administrative unit or any official thereof may take decisions or issue instructions or regulation in contravention of laws in force, and no effect shall be given to decisions, instructions or regulations made in contravention of the said laws. ”