10 The Independent Commission for Human Rights - ICHR sources. These started with the decision on cancellation of general elections and ended with the murder of activist Nizar Banat. This was ensued by a crackdown on protests, in which all previously reported systematic violations recurred. Though adopted by the government, recommendations of all commissions of inquiry were breached. A new pattern of abuses also surfaced, affecting women as well as female journalists and activists. Cases were documented of violations of privacy and extortion, which constitute a crime even if committed by ordinary citizens. So, what would be the case when such a crime is perpetrated by representatives of government agencies? Palestinian universities saw new models of violence, including murder, disruption of classes, and lockdown of campuses. Different Palestinian governorates also witnessed tribal clashes, in which quantities of weapons loomed large, posing a significant threat to community safety. Meantime, while law enforcement declined markedly, the law was enforced on a selective basis. Legislative mayhem persisted. While eight laws were passed by the Gaza-based Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), 44 laws by decrees were enacted in the West Bank. This was the largest number of laws by decrees promulgated in a single year since the internal Palestinian political divide took place. The law-making process was both wrapped in secrecy and vague, sapping society’s potential in cumbersome debates, disputes, and movements that disrupted some aspects of life. It also provoked strikes, which obstructed the judicial system and health sector. Laws by decrees constitute a breach of the government’s pledge to avoid an excess of controversial regulations and to open a prior dialogue in case of need for such pieces of legislation. With a summary provided by my colleagues, this Annual Report presents some positive and negative indicators. For example, 2021 marked a drop in the number of unnatural deaths. Of concern, however, the proportion of deaths resulting from fights rose from 15 percent in 2020 to 21 percent in 2021. On a positive note, the number and proportion of women who died in unnatural circumstances decreased from 52 in 2020 to 36 in 2021. Deaths in detention facilities were also down from nine to four incidents, and so was mortality from suicide which dropped from 26 to 16 cases. Deaths in mysterious circumstances plummeted from 36 to 23, indicating more effective investigative capacities in resolving the mysteries of crimes. Reflecting a declining percentage, the number of deaths resulting from failure to implement public safety measures saw a remarkable drop from 92 to 42. As detailed in the report, there is still a need for more preventive measures, which lie within the responsibility of many duty bearers. 2021 saw an unfortunate increase in the number of complaints concerning physical integrity. Compared to 291 in 2020, the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) received a total of 445 complaints. Even worse, 289 complaints involved torture and threats. Another 154 complaints included claims of arbitrary detention without a legally issued arrest warrant, including 15 children. In addition to 58 detentions that were not brought before a competent court, 16 persons were detained and released without knowing the causes of detention. Six detained persons were denied contact with the outside world, including a legal counsel. Duty bearers maintained various levels of cooperation in response to ICHR correspondence and handling of filed complaints. The ICHR sent 1,715 letters on 1,315 different complaints. Of these, 918 complaints were closed, representing 70 percent of all complaints. Sixty-four (64) percent of the complaints were closed after positive results had been achieved (elimination of abuses or corrective actions). On the other hand, 28 complaints were processed with unsatisfactory results. In other words, injustices were not redressed or the addressees of complaints did not cooperate with the ICHR. This publicly available report provides a detailed account of all percentages by various line ministries and government agencies. The ICHR stands ready to hold an elaborate discussion with any actors that wish to receive further details. In this context, the ICHR would like to thank all line ministries, government bodies, security agencies, and detention centres which cooperate with and facilitate functions of the ICHR. The Situation of Human Rights in Palestine