We are following up with concern the crackdown by Palestinian Authority security forces against a protest in Ramallah against the implementation of the CEDAW treaty and the new Family Protection Law, passed last May.

We call on the PA security forces to provide protection for the protesters and preserve their right to peaceful protest against the law at the same level provided to supporters of the Family Protection Law.

We confirm that the CEDAW treaty and drafting bills related to the Personal Status Law under this agreement requires community and elite discussion to come up with the best recommendations that are in line with the Islamic law.    

We are going through a pivotal stage of the Palestinian history amid increasing attempt to liquidate the national Palestinian rights. Recruiting efforts should be a priority to face off the Israeli occupation and its colonial projects.

Thus, we call on the West Bank-based government to revoke the new Family Protection Law until reactivating the Palestinian Legislative Council, which can debate bill according to a democratic mechanism unanimously accepted by all Palestinians.    

We restate our absolute objection to banning judges from accessing the High Court in Ramallah and reconsidering the legitimacy of the Transitional High Judicial Council, whose steps to make illegal, structural changes in the judicial systems were met with widespread condemnation from judges and lawyers.

We also urge the PA to provide more space for dialogue and respect the judicial authority.