Decree No. (5) of 2021

Concerning the Promotion and Enhancement of Public Freedoms and Liberties

President of the State of Palestine

Chairman of the PLO’s Executive Committee

In reference to the PLO’s Basic Law and the Amended Basic Law of 2003, and its further amendments, especially the provisions of Chapter (7)

After reviewing the Decree by Law No. (1) of 2007, concerning General Elections and its amendments, the Presidential Decree No. (3) of 2021, concerning the call for Legislative, Presidential and National Council Elections, the Law by Decree No. (7) of 202o, concerning the state of emergency, and in light of the exceptional circumstances the country is going through

Out of my constitutional duties to fully care and handle the interests of the Palestinian people,

Based on the powers vested in us and for the sake of public interest,

We hereby issue the following:

Article (1)

Enhancing the climates for public liberties and freedoms throughout the territories of the State of Palestine, including the freedom of political and national action, in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law and other relevant laws.

Article (2)

Emphasizing the prohibition of chasing, arrest, detention and all forms of accountability outside the limits of law, for reasons related to freedom of opinion and political affiliation.

Article (3)

To release all individuals, kept, detained, arrested or imprisoned on grounds of opinion or political affiliation, or reasons related to partialism and factionalism, throughout the territories of the State of Palestine.

Article (4)

Provision of complete freedom for electoral campaigning in both of its forms, the traditional and digital, as well as publishing, printing, organizing political and electoral meetings and gathering, and financing them in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article (5)

Provision of equal opportunities to all electoral lists without any discrimination in accordance with the law, on official media outlets.

Article (6)

The Palestinian Civil Police in its official uniform, compared to other security forces and formations, is solely responsible for the protection of voting centers and the electoral process throughout the territories of the State of Palestine, in order to guarantee its fair and transparent flow in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article (7)

To fully provide the required support and facilities to the Central Elections Commission (CEC) and its teams, in order to conduct its tasks and missions in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article (8)

All that contradicts with the provisions of this Decree shall be nullified.

Article (9)

All competent authorities, each within its own jurisdiction, shall implement the provisions of this Decree, which shall enter into force upon its issuance, and shall be published in the Official Gazette.

Issued in the city of Ramallah on February 20, 2021.

Mahmoud Abbas

President of the State of Palestine

Chairman of the PLO’s Executive Committee