16 even if these practices did not constitute a systematic approach, and especially as these crimes would not vanish in time. This chapter also notes the increase in the number of complaints filed to the ICHR during the year 2010, which included allegations of different violations. The Commission received, through its offices and researchers during the year 2010, (3828) complaints in comparison with (3442) complaints in 2009. These numbers show an increase of 11% in the year 2010 when compared to the year 2009. The report concludes that the procedures for accountability have been confined to political statements and to some procedures and disciplinary measures against their perpetrators. They did not, therefore, reach the point of taking up judicial proceedings to prosecute the perpetrators and punish them. It also noted a significant decline and a failure to hold the violators of human rights accountable, particularly in crimes of torture. In presenting the view of the Independent Commission for Human Rights on the human rights situation in the PNA areas in 2010, this report acknowledges that the findings reached by the Commission are the result of information obtained by its working team. The information was analyzed by the ICHR group of researchers while taking into consideration the international standards for human rights and the Palestinian national laws, beginning with the Basic Law, which governs the rights and freedoms in Palestine. ICHR has provided a number of recommendations to decision makers in the PNA areas, hoping that they will be taken seriously, and that the needed actions, measures and mechanisms will actively put these recommendations into practice, especially as ICHR has reiterated many of these recommendations in its previous reports. Accordingly, ICHR hopes that this report will help draw the attention to the important fact that sustainable development is founded by human beings, but without respect for his/her dignity, and without ensuring respect for human rights, it will be worthless and meaningless to discuss any kind of development. Finally, I would like to end this introduction by expressing my sincere gratitude to the ICHR’s administrative and program working team for the considerable effort made in the completion of this report, and for the team’s willingness to work under pressure for long and continuous hours while maintaining a great team spirit in order to produce this report. Unique in its methodology, it concurrently draws and relies on the efforts of the field research team in each of the programs in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip for the collection of information and data, and for the means used to corroborate and ensure the accuracy and credibility of all collected material. I would also like to thank the main research staff in the Monitoring National Policies and Legislation and to the supporting research staff in other program units for their dedication during the preparation of this report. They are all thanked for their hard work in completing and producing this report with its unique methodology, and for having ensured a quite competent analysis of all