Gaza City, July 07: The Palestinian basic law, or provisional constitution, came into effect today as part of Yasser Arafat's heralded reform programme, justice minister Ibrahim Dughmeh said. The law, first passed by the Parliament in 1997, but left unsigned by Arafat until this past may, guarantees the powers of the judiciary and Parliament, where in the past Arafat's presidential office could run roughshod over other public institutions. "The basic law entered into force today after having been promulgated at the end of may by Yasser Arafat," Dugmeh said.
"This law defines the powers of the Palestinian authority and will serve as the constitution until the establishment of a Palestinian state."
The basic law refers to Al-Qods (Jerusalem) as the Palestinian capital, Islam as the authority's official religion, the Sharia (Islamic law) as the source for all legislation, and Arabic as the national language. It envisions "a democratic power, based on pluralism, an independent judiciary and an elected Parliament with a legislative role," according to a copy of the document obtained by a news agency.
The basic law also calls for regular presidential elections and for the parliament to serve as a counterweight to the cabinet.
Arafat had let the basic law sit on his desk for five years until he came under a torrent of criticism this past may from Israel, the United States and his own people for leading a corrupt administration.
Bureau Report