The Independent Commission for Human Rights is the national human rights institution in Palestine with the function of an Ombudsman.

The Commission was established in 1993 by a Presidential Decree issued by then President Yasser Arafat in his capacity as President of the State of Palestine and chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization. The decree was subsequently published in the Official Gazette in 1995. The Commission commenced its activities in early 1994.

The Commission contributes towards the protection and promotion of human rights in Palestine in accordance with the International Human Rights Treaties, the Palestinian Independence Declaration and Basic Law, by receiving and handling complaints, monitoring and documenting human rights violations, providing guidance, counselling and capacity development of duty bearers, mediating between the official institutions and civil society organizations and promoting the culture of human rights with the purpose of creating a democratic and tolerant society