Decree No. 8 of 2019 Concerning the Establishment of the National Team for the Deliberation of the State of Palestine’s Reports on the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD)

Decree No. 8 of 2019

Concerning the Establishment of the National Team for the Deliberation of the State of Palestine’s Reports on the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD)

The President of the State of Palestine

The Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation

In reference of the Bylaw of the Palestine Liberation Organisation,

The provisions of the Amended Basic Law of 2003, as amended,

In reference of accession by the State of Palestine to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) on April 1^st, 2014,

Subsequent to submission of the Initial Report of the State of Palestine on the Convention to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) on March 21^st, 2018,

Based upon the powers vested in me, and

In pursuance of the public interest,

I hereby promulgate the following Decree:

Article 1

The words and expressions mentioned in this Decree shall have the meanings designated thereto hereunder, unless the context determines otherwise:

Article 2

In accordance with the provisions of this Decree, the National Team for the deliberation of the initial report and periodic reports of the State of Palestine submitted to the CERD shall be established. Chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, membership [on the Team] shall include representatives of the following bodies:

1. The Higher Presidential Committee for Following up on the Affairs of Churches in Palestine.

2. The Ministry of Justice.

3. The Ministry of Interior.

4. The Ministry of Social Development.

5. The High Judicial Council.

6. The Ministry of Health.

7. The Ministry of Education.

8. The Ministry of Labour.

9. The Ministry of Women’s Affairs.

10. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.

11. The High Council of Family Courts.

Article 3

Members of the National Team shall perform the following tasks:

1. Prepare the initial report and periodic reports on the legislative, judicial, administrative or any other measures taken by the State of Palestine for the purposes of implementing the provisions of the ICERD, including the progress scored by the State of Palestine in this regard.

2. Discuss the initial report and periodic reports submitted to the CERD on the designated dates in line with the provisions of the ICERD.

3. Answer the questions of the CERD and submit the comments and clarifications requested thereby.

Article 4

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, or the person whom he mandates, shall chair the National Team, which takes part in the deliberation of the reports referred to under Article 3 of this Decree.

Article 5

The bodies represented on the membership of the National Team shall adhere to nominating their representatives. They shall also abide by providing the financial resources needed for their participation in the deliberation of the reports prepared by the National Team with the CERD.

Article 6

The National Team shall be entitled to consult with those whom it deems appropriate for the purposes of preparing and discussing the reports before the CERD.

Article 7

All the competent authorities, each one within its sphere of jurisdiction, shall implement the provisions of this Decree, which shall enter into force as of the date of its promulgation and shall be published in the Official Gazette.

Promulgated in the city of Ramallah on August 7^th, 2019 Anno Domini,

Corresponding to Thu al-Hijjah 6^th, 1440 Anno Hegira.

Mahmoud Abbas

President of the State of Palestine

Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation