Public Meetings Law No. 12 of 1998

Public Meetings Law No. 12 of 1998

The Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation,

The President of the Palestinian National Authority,

Having reviewed the (Ottoman) Public Meetings Law of 1327 AH in force in the Governorates of the Gaza Strip,

Having reviewed the (Jordanian) Public Meetings Law No. 60 of 1953 in force in the Governorates of the West Bank,

Based upon the draft submitted by the Minister of Interior, and

Based upon the approval of the Legislative Council during its session of 19 December, 1998,

I hereby promulgate the following law:

Article 1

In applying the provisions of this law, the following terms and expressions shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context determines otherwise:

Ministry: The Ministry of the Interior.

Minister: The Minister of the Interior.

Governor: The Governor of a Governorate.

Director of Police: The Director of Police of a Governorate.

Public Meeting: Any public meeting to which at least fifty (50) persons are invited in an open and public place, including public squares, open places, playgrounds, parks and the like.

Article 2

Citizens shall have the right to hold public meetings, gatherings, and processions, which shall not be infringed upon or restricted, except pursuant to the provisions of this law.

Article 3

Public meetings may be held, provided that a written notice to this effect is addressed to the Governor or Director of Police at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance in accordance with Article 4 below.

Article 4

A written notice signed by at least three (3) organisers of a meeting must be submitted. The notice shall specify the place and time where the meeting will be held and the purpose thereof.

1. If the written notice is submitted by a corporate body, the signature of its representative shall suffice.
2. Without prejudice to the right to hold a public meeting, the Governor or Director of Police may place restrictions on the duration of the meeting or route of the procession set forth in Article 3 for traffic regulation, provided that the organisers are informed in writing of these restrictions after a period not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours from the submission of the notice.
3. If the organising party does not receive any written reply as set forth under the preceding paragraph, the organising party may hold the public meeting at the fixed time in the manner stated in the notice.

Article 5

The competent parties, upon the request of the party which is organising the meeting, shall take all necessary precautionary measures, provided that such measures do not infringe upon the freedoms of the meeting participants and the process of the meeting.

Article 6

Without prejudice to a severer penalty set forth by the Penal Law, a person who violates the provisions of this law shall be liable to imprisonment for a period not to exceed two (2) months and a fine of fifty (50) Jordanian Dinars or the equivalent in legal tender.

Article 7

The Minister of Interior shall issue the bylaws and decisions required for the enforcement of the provisions of this law.

Article 8

The (Ottoman) Public Meetings Law of 1327 AH in force in the Governorates of the Gaza Strip, the (Jordanian) Public Meetings Law No. 60 of 1953 in force in the Governorates of the West Bank, as well as any other provision contradicting the provisions of this law, are hereby repealed.

Article 9

All competent authorities, each one within its sphere of jurisdiction, shall implement the provisions of this law, which shall enter into force thirty (30) days after the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Issued in the city of Gaza on 28 December, 1998 AD, corresponding to 9 Ramadhan 1419 AH.

Yasser Arafat

Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation

President of the Palestinian National Authority