Bylaws of ICHR’s Board of Commissioners 1 Introduction: The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) was established in 1993 upon a Presidential Decree published in the Official Gazette in 1995. In accordance with the Decree, the duties and responsibilities of ICHR were set out as follows: “to follow-up and ensure that different Palestinian laws, bylaws and regulations, and the work of various departments, agencies and institutions of the State of Palestine and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) meet the requirements for safeguarding human rights”. Furthermore, Article (31) of the Palestinian Basic Law ratified by the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in 1997, and published in the Palestinian facts in 2002 provides that: “An independent Commission for Human Rights shall be established by law, which shall specify its formation, duties and jurisdiction. The Commission shall submit its reports to the President of the National Authority and the Palestinian Legislative Council.” ICHR also has the right to monitor and follow up on the work of official and semi-official public bodies and institutions and all public law persons to ensure executive and administrative compliance with the bases mentioned above and to make sure of the rule of law and its equitable application in all the works of these bodies and institutions affiliated with the PA with regard to respect for human rights. A Board of Commissioners currently runs ICHR. The board memberships ranges between 17 to 21 commissions. These highly credible Commissioners are prominent members of the Palestinian society, and were selected from both inside Palestine and the Diaspora, to confirm the need for communication between different Palestinian communities, and to benefit from the expertise of the members of the Diaspora in enhancing and promoting ICHR. The Executive Office, emanating from the Board of Commissioners and headed by the Commissioner General, is the highest authority within ICHR and oversees its operations and performance. The General Director, appointed by the Executive Office, is the highest official responsible for managing divisions and staff in headquarters and Regional Offices. Definitions 1 These bylaws were adopted in the BoC annual meeting which took place on 23 rd and 24th of April of 2015. Since then the bylaws were updated to increase the number of commissioners to a minimum of 17 and maximum of 21 (previously 17). The amendments were adopted by the BoC annual meeting on the 17 th and 18th of December 2015. Additionally, the BoC adopted during its January 21st, 2021 session several amendments to the bylaws. These amendments are introduced directly to the text.