Ramallah: Human Rights and Democracy Media Center “SHAMS” organized a legal seminar on a decree by law of Cybercrime, at Modern University College in Ramallah, attended by law students. Speakers are Mr. Imad Hammad deputy of Public Prosecution, Dr. Ammar Dwaik, director of the Independent Commission for Human Rights, and director of Human Rights Department at Ministry of Justice in addition to Dr. Abdulrahman Rihan and Dr. Mahmoud Alsheikh joining from Modern University College. This seminar is held within the project of “Enhancing civilian oversight and social accountability on the Palestinian security sectors” that is implemented by “SHAMS” center and is funded by UNDP, in partnership with Palestinian Ministry of Justice.
Dr. Abdulrahman Rihan law instructor at Modern University College started the seminar, welcomed attendees and expressed thanks to “SHAMS” center and speakers for collaboration. He put emphasis that such event is important since the decree by law on Cybercrime is controversial decision in the community.
Dr. Ammar Dwaik spoke about the laws in Palestine where there is a problem in formulating laws which are largely issued since the division, and deactivation of the Palestinian Legislative Council PLC. Until now, almost 180 decrees by law have been issued, and there is a problem with some laws since some laws are issued without consultation and may not be comply with the interests of some parties, indicating the lack of transparency in the promulgation of laws.
The other problem is that some of the laws that have been issued during the division violate against Palestinian Basic Law and obligations of international human rights conventions while Cybercrime law is a clear violation. Formally, It was developed without consultations with civil society organizations or other sides. Objectively, we don’t stand against this law but, we need it due to the prevalence of Cybercrime. According to Budapest Convention, Cybercrimes has been identified and prosecution procedures were specified since freedom of expression and criticizing the government aren’t criminalized as mentioned in the decree by law on Cybercrime. Consequently, we support the law but with reservation on some articles which imply amendment.