Ramallah: Human Rights and Democracy Media Center “SHAMS” arranged a study day for a group of female municipal members on combating corruption. Funded and supported by Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty “FNF”. The event combined members representing the municipalities of Tulkarm, Salfit, Qalqilya, Albireh, Hebron, Jericho, Bethlehem, Beitunya, Anabta and Alram. It is worth noting that the event is a part of activities implemented within project of enhancing transparency, integrity and combating corruption in the Palestinian community, implemented by “SHAMS” and “FNF”.
Amal Ayed initiated the event, welcomed the attendees and explained that study day is arranged based on a recommendation of a previous event held, to significantly target female members about combating corruption. She put emphasis on the importance to come up with suggestions, discussion, findings and recommendations aiming to make change and empower women in combating corruption.
IN HIS TURN, Majdi Abu Zaid, the Executive Director of Coalition for Integrity and Accountability –AMAN defined corruption and explained its forms. In addition, he addressed the code of conducts for members of local authorities, tools of combating corruption, mechanisms for strengthening oversight, UNCAC and employing the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability to combat corruption. Transparency points to the clarity of measures, decisions, announcements and all issues taken within the institution, and its application should be implemented by publishing its media outlets. While integrity is pertaining practical measures taken to apply ethics, and it is also related to setting procedures to prevent conflict of interests and procedures to receive gifts, and others related to systems of tenders and procurements, in other words how to apply integrity in practical measures.
Accountability aims to reduce irregularities, requesting officials to explain some matters and decisions made. The questions arise: are accountability sessions arranged to respond to citizens’ inquires and to get their advice regarding strategic issues? Is the executive entity of municipality held accountable? Do oversight units submit administrative reports to the members?
Advocate Salah Mousa, Addressed Law of bids and the Law of Palestinian local authorities no. (1) Of 1997. It is considered of the best laws governing the relation between the ministry and local government’s authorities. It gives legislative and executive powers for the municipal council in addition to provide the Mayor with judicial power. It granted municipalities all the roles and powers.
Additionally, he talked about Speaking about Public Procurement Law in which different amendments have been made. When issued, it was supposed to be for the purpose of specifying procurement operations. However, it excluded any role for local authorities, and eliminated the role of Ministry of Local Government. It was requested to amended the decision and in 2016 and the Council of Ministers amended it and get back the powers for local government in relation to procurement, while central tenders were cancelled. There is no marginalization for local government.
At the end of the study day, participants recommended the need to keep holding meetings on the same topic, and to arrange specialized symposiums in each of the meeting’s topics separately and inviting a larger number of staff & members of local authorities. In addition to arrange a similar study days for female members in the medium and small local authorities. And to empower heads and members of local authorities in the fields of legal work of these authorities, relation to other laws and consequences. Besides, to develop a code of conduct for members of local authorities in each one, to be approved by all members. And to activate the system of conflict of interests in local authorities.
Participants also recommended publishing decisions issued in the meetings of local authorities and publication of minutes in social media networks of the local authorities so that citizens will be made aware of it. As well as building an association for female members of local authorities capable to deliver women’s issues in the local councils. And conducting a workshop on the topic of social security and raising awareness about it.