On 5 March 2020, the President of the Palestinian National Authority declared a state of emergency following the COVID-19 outbreak. The resulting increased prerogatives granted to security agencies and lower capacities of oversight institutions have constituted a potential threat to the protection of citizens’ human rights. DCAF has sought to provide recommendations for the amendment of the legal framework governing the state of emergency in Palestine and guidance to law enforcement officials on abiding by human rights under the new state of emergency.

In this report, DCAF and Al-Haq Foundation explore human rights concerns arising from the declaration of a state of emergency. The report specifically addresses issues of compliance with the Palestinian Amended Basic Law of 2003 and international standards such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966. It also provides a set of recommendations to decision-makers and practitioners to enhance protection of human rights within a framework of state of emergency, with the ultimate goal of strengthening accountability, governance, and reform of the security sector in the State of Palestine.