Across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the ability to monitor and document human rights violations, pursue accountability for injustices, and organise or advocate for human rights is increasingly constrained. Reports have highlighted a clampdown on civic freedoms amid ongoing Israeli attacks. The Occupied Palestinian Territory is classified as ‘closed‘ by CIVICUS Monitor, which denotes an environment where civic space is effectively shut down both in law and in practice.
The Palestinian Authority adds further constraints through restrictive laws, security clearances, funding approvals, and bank freezes, undermining organisational independence. Among the restrictive laws is the Cybercrime and Information and Communications Technology Crimes Law No. (10) of 2018, which includes numerous vague provisions that grant security agencies broad powers to restrict freedom of opinion and expression, as well as extensive authority in conducting investigations. Furthermore, the absence of a law guaranteeing the right to access information remains a major obstacle to promoting transparency, good governance, and meaningful reform.
