23/10/2013-Ramallah - The Head of Anti-Corruption Commission, Mr. Rafik Natsheh, received a delegation from the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) yesterday, The meeting came as part of the effort undertaken by the Commission and General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers to work on to comprehensive review of legislation governing the Anti-Corruption Commission as part of the legislative plan of the government , and through the Supreme national group of the legislative plan of the government , including the preparation of a draft of access to information.

MADA board chairman Dr. Ghazi Hanania  talked about the importance of the law and the efforts made by MADA in the preparation of the draft law including  holding of  two conferences for this purpose last year, with the participation of journalists and institutions of civil society, governmental institutions, and international experts in collaboration with DCAF Center , he mentioned that MADA submitted the draft law  to the Council of Ministers  and demanded to be included in the legislative plan.

MADA General Director Mousa Rimawi  talked about the campaigns organized by the Center to raise awareness of the importance of the law, and a series of meetings held with government and civil institutions to inform them of the Centre's work in this field.

Mr. Natsheh praised the work done by MADA during the past two years to and preparation of the draft law in participation of governmental institutions and NGOs. He said that the Anti-Corruption Commission in collaboration with the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers are seeking to pass the access to information law,  and a national teams will be formed soon to study and review the draft law of  access to information .

He also stressed that information is one of the foundations upon which the transparency and control and community participation, and the access to information is a fundamental right guaranteed by all international legislation, and that the adoption of this law will be give opportunity for all community section to participate in the process of control and accountability.

The meeting was attended by the member of the Commission  Advisory Council Mohammed Deeb Mansour, and Director General of the Office of the Commission President Sa’eed Shehadeh  , and secretary of MADA board  Majid Aruri .