Decree No. 11 of 2012 Concerning the Establishment of the Commission for the Affairs of Civil Society Organisations

Decree No. 11 of 2012 Concerning the Establishment of the Commission for the Affairs of Civil Society Organisations

The President of the State of Palestine

The Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation

The President of the Palestinian National Authority

In reference of the provisions of the Amended Basic Law of 2003 and its Amendments,

Based upon the powers bestowed upon me, and

In accomplishment of the public interest,

I hereby promulgate the following Decree:

Article 1

The following terms and expressions shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context determines otherwise:

Article 2

In pursuance of the provisions of this Decree, a commission to be called the “Commission for the Affairs of Civil Society Organisations” shall be established. It shall enjoy financial and administrative independence and report to the President of the Palestinian National Authority. Its permanent main seat shall be in the city of Jerusalem and it shall be entitled to take temporary seats in the cities of Ramallah and Gaza and establish branches and offices thereof in any other governorate.

Article 3

The Commission shall aim at coordinating and organising work among all Palestinian and foreign civil society organisations and various government bodies based upon the principle of integration, participation, and transparency in planning and implementation in order to bring about the comprehensive national plan in the service of the Palestinian society.

Article 4

In the course of achieving its goals, the Commission shall perform the following:

1. Contribute to developing and setting national priorities in different sectors in partnership between civil society organisations and all government bodies to draft joint national approaches, particularly in the areas of development.

2. Ensuring the freedom and independence of community-based activity to integrate with government work to serve different sectors.

3. Work towards encouraging voluntary work and developing its concepts and principles.

Article 5

The Commissions shall be subject to the financial and administrative control regulations in force in the Palestinian Authority.

Article 6

A chairman shall be appointed to the Commission to manage all of its affairs. A decision on his appointment and identification of this grade shall be issued forth by the President.

Article 7

The Chairman of the Commission shall prepare a bylaw for the Commission’s work, which shall be approved by the President of the Authority, and submit annual reports to the President of the Authority.

Article 8

All of the powers and jurisdictions vested in the Office of National Institutions shall devolve to the Commission. All of the employees of the Office of National Institutions shall be transferred to the Commission, each according to his functional and financial grade. All of the assets and financial and in-kind rights of the Office of National Institutions shall devolve to the Commission.

Article 9

All provisions that contradict the provisions of this Decree shall be repealed.

Article 10

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.

Issued in the city of Ramallah on December 25^th, 2012 Anno Domini,

Corresponding to Safar 12^th, 1434 Anno Hegira.

Mahmoud Abbas

President of the State of Palestine

Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation

President of the Palestinian National Authority