European Parliament

Foreign Affairs Committee

November 1996

Emendements of O.Dupuis

1. Although Mr Arafat has been elected and is the legitimate leader of the Palestinians, it can not be ignored that he does not enjoy the confidence of the total Palestinian population. There are growing divergencies between those that have lived in exile (the "Tunisians") and those that stayed behind. These divergencies have added to the feeling of frustration among a large part of the Palestinians and should be overcome by an active policy of dialogue within the Palestinian community. This is vital for the establishment of peace between the Israeli and Palestinian people.

2. A related subject that can also threaten the peace process is the democratic standard of the Palestinian Authority. It should be emphasized that also within the Palestinian cadres human rights and democracy should be upheld as a higher value.

3. The 88-member Palestinian Legislative Council that was elected in January is supposed to check the power of Arafat's executive. However, they are totally powerless. The judiciary is equally powerless, and can not take any decisions against Arafat. The P.A. security forces are notorious for its human rights violations and suppression of internal opposition.

Amendements à la proposition de résolution:

1. Condemns the fact that Arafat and the Palestinian Authority publicly supported the outbreak of violence initially, after which, in a later stage, they only took limited action to stop it;

2. Expresses deep concern at the disrespect for the human rights of fellow Palestians by the Palestinian security forces;

3. Expresses deep concern at the lack of democracy within the Palistinian Authority and the lack of independence of the judiciary which have also led to the feeling of frustration of the Palestian people;