Ramallah: Human Rights and Democracy Media Center “SHAMS” produced five radio episodes on enhancing the concepts of good governance and the status of corruption in Palestine. Funded and supported by Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty FNF.
The first episode addressed the principle of equal opportunities in the public administration, (public job, recruiting side, promotions and training. Speakers of the episode were His Excellency, the Minister Mousa Abu Zaid, Chairman of General Personnel Council, Dr. Jihad Harb, the researcher in governance and political affairs, in addition to Mrs. Nadia Abu Nahla: director of Woman’s Technical Affairs Committee in Gaza Strip. The second episode addressed the features of corruption in the local authorities and municipalities. Speakers of the episode were Viola, coordinator of local authorities in AMAN, Fathi Atatra, former Director General of Local Governance in Jenin and Muhsin Abu Ramadan, the writer and political analyst / Gaza Strip. The third episode tackled Forms of corruption in the civil and public sectors. Speakers were Mahmoud Ziada, Secretary General of Federation of Independent Trade Unions, Mrs. Ilham Sami: Head of Complaints department at Ministry of Woman’s Affairs, and Amjad Alshawwa: Director of PNGO in Gaza Strip.
The fourth episode tackled the role of social culture in encouraging corruption or combating it, and speakers were Dr. Ahmad Rafiq Awad: media instructor at Alquds University, Dr. Adawaya Masalma: Education instructor at An-najah National University, and Dr. Mkheimar Abu Sa’ada, Political sciences instructor in Gaza Strip. The fifth episode tackled national and international laws and regulations applied in Palestine to combat corruption. Speakers included Dr. Isaac Barqawi, Law instructor at An-Najah National University, advocate Bilal Barghouthi, AMAN and advocate Mirvat Nahal MEZAN center in Gaza Strip.
It is worth noting that participants stressed the need to keep working for combating all forms corruption, reinforcing integrity and transparency in the official institutions and civil society organizations, and raising awareness of corruption risks. Additionally, they stressed the importance to promote transparency and integrity among citizens and employees in all sectors, which contribute to eradicating corruption, raising community awareness about the significance of rule of law and adherence to legal regulations and informing citizens of their rights and duties. They also emphasized on the negative consequences of corruption on economic development, attracting external investments, affecting social values, losing the worth of work. In addition to the influence on political system, increasing disputes between factions and political hypocrisy.
Besides, speakers emphasized that combating corruption relies on two bases: the first is represented in enacting punitive legislations and criminal Law since it will deter corruption crimes, and will explain the legal status of combating corruption after happening. The second basis is prevention and its measures and mechanisms that are considered as central for combating corruption, and it is represented in combating corruption before happening. Oversight system is one of the preventive measure against corruption crimes, while combating corruption requires formulating a strong effective and independent oversight system to control and follow up state’s entities and organizations.
Moreover, speaking about the role to be assumed by the civil society organizations to combat corruption by explaining forms of corruption and raising awareness of corruption negative impact. Furthermore, unifying media efforts continuously for revealing corruption cases through publishing information via mass media, raising awareness, promoting values against corruption and strengthening the sense of belonging and citizenship among citizens to fight corruption. In addition, supporting the efforts of civil society organizations in the consolidation of civic culture through education, training and publishing to reveal features of corruption and raising awareness of its impact. Moreover, mobilizing the public opinion towards central issues and changing the stereotypical images. Building a social base for civil society organizations and getting citizens involved against corruption. Besides, gathering independent unbiased journalists, media and religious figures, academics, members of Commerce Chambers and local community to build a strong national integrity system.