ENSAN CENTER for Democracy & Human Rights

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE NEW ORGANIZATION

As is well-known, the political environment in the occupied Palestinian Territories continues to deteriorate. Socio-economic indicators reflected dramatic declines since the Oslo period began, indicators which went into a downward spiral after the beginning of the Intifada. Closures, blockades and curfews, coupled with ongoing and extensive Israeli military actions, have devastated the Palestinian community in nearly every way possible. A record number of administrative detainees currently languish in Israeli prisons and internment camps, an unprecedented number of homes have been demolished or are scheduled for demolition, and land continues to be confiscated or destroyed at a rate unheard of since the beginning of the occupation.

At this period, a record number of victims and families have an urgent need for legal aid. An additional complicating factor is the devastated Palestinian economy. Previously middle class families can no longer afford basic foodstuffs, much less legal aid for family members in prison, or to protect their homes and lands from Israeli aggressions. Families simply cannot pay any additional expenses any longer, making the provision of free legal aid one of the core needs of the Palestinian community at this time.

There are not many free legal-aid providers in the West Bank, a need exists like never before to continue to provide services to the community. It remains an imperative concern to continue to provide aid to those in need.

SCOPE OF WORK

The new organization, Ensan, will focus primarily on the provision of free legal aid for administrative detainees (including issues concerning living conditions, family visits, and torture cases), house demolition, land cases, and other types of human rights abuses related to the occupation (checkpoints, freedom of movement, humanitarian health cases).

Ensan will also maintain a focus on human rights abuses within Palestine, specifically illegal detention, conditions in prisons, violations in the practices of the security organizations, freedom of expression, and an independent judiciary.

The immediate priorities of the organization will be to maintain services to clients currently receiving legal aid but who may lose this representation, in particular administrative detainees, house demolition cases and land cases related to the Wall.

Parallel to its legal work, Ensan will design an advocacy strategy to complement its legal services, and to maintain a high level of awareness and mobilization among the Palestinian community and abroad around these issues and to advocate for policy changes that will positively impact Palestinians.

CAPACITY

Ensan will begin operations with a core staff, including some of the most experienced lawyers in Palestine working on these types of legal cases. All staff members are prepared to continue their work under any circumstances, demonstrating the extremely high level of commitment needed to maintain legal services to their clients during this transition period. In addition, Ensan’s team will include several experienced advocacy and media personnel.

ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

Ensan has a General Assembly, which will elect a board who will be held accountable by this Assembly. The mandate for the Board will require strong involvement in the administration and management of the organization. Clear roles and responsibilities are drawn up between the management team of the new organization and the Board members, ensuring accountability both of staff and of the Board. Ensan will plan for transparent management, with a clear system of checks and balances and with the rights and responsibilities of staff clearly delineated. Ensan will benefit from the past experience of its staff, and from previously conducted management and operations reviews.

FINANCES

Ensan will account for its financial transactions according to international standards, based on an accrual basis and not on a cash basis. An internationally-affiliated external audit company will be contracted to provide independent auditing services, and Ensan will commit itself to providing financial reports to donors. Ensan will ensure that an experienced, qualified financial team will be on board from the beginning.