Recommendations Legislative Framework 1. Enactment of a new constitution for the State of Palestine into which should be entered the principles of human rights stated under the relevant international conventions and treaties. 2. The legislative authority should ensure respect for and adherence to domestic human rights legislations. 3. Revocation of any legislation which contradicts international human rights conventions and treaties. 4. Drafting of new legislation complying with international human rights standards. 5. Amendment of domestic laws which provide stringent penal sanctions for grave violations of human rights. 6. Provide an explanatory account of the constitutional status of international human rights conventions and treaties in comparison to the national legislation. Practical Framework 1. The State of Palestine should ratify international human rights conventions, including the nine core international human rights treaties: Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948); International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966); International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) and the two optional protocols thereto; International Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1965); International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979); Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1989); Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). It should also sign the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the 1977 Geneva Protocols. The PLO has expressed its willingness to sign and ratify or accede to them since 1989. 2. Where and when possible, the State of Palestine should join UN specialized agencies. 3. The State of Palestine should invite Special Rapporteurs of the United Nations and their working groups to visit Palestine to see it in context. 4. The participation of the ICHR should be promoted in preparation for governmental and consultative reports relevant to human rights issues and in the Universal Periodic Review. 5. The participation of civil society organizations should be promoted in the process of the Universal Periodic Review and preparation of reports. 39