STATUTE OF THE MOVEMENT FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE
AND FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST (MPPM) 

(Extracts)

 

Chapter I

General principles

Article 1

(Title and headquarters)

1. The Movement for the Rights of the Palestinian People and for Peace in the Middle East, also designated as MPPM, is a non-profit association which abides by the present Articles of Association as well as by internal regulations and by general law.

2. […]

Article 2

(Nature and objectives)

The MPPM is a democratic Non Governmental Organization, independent of any political parties and engaged in international solidarity. It seeks to promote through the support of public opinion and in accordance with the United Nations resolutions, the creation in the Palestinian Territories, which have been occupied by Israel since 1967, of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State, including a just solution for the question of Jerusalem and for the Palestinian refugees, as well as supporting the establishment of global and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Article 3

(References)

The MPPM complies with the principles of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, having as its references, the Charter of the United Nations, the applicable norms of International Law, the International Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as those of the International Humanitarian Law.

Article 4

(0rientation)

MPPM, within the framework of its aims and in compliance with the principles and values set out in the abovementioned references in Article 3, will seek to:

a) mobilize public opinion towards effective moral, political, material and humanitarian solidarity with those peoples in the Middle East who are affected on a level of security, dignity and  their inalienable right to self-determination,  national independence, democracy and peace;

b) condemn the imposition by force of unilateral solutions, all forms of terrorism, whether State terrorism or any other, all illegitimate military occupation of  territories , hence those of  Palestine – the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem –  which have been occupied since 1967;

c) appeal for the United Nations to play a central role in the search for a solution to the present situation.

Article 5

(Activities)

In pursuance of its aims, the MPPM will:

a) disseminate information on the Palestinian question, quoting the respective sources;

b) promote solidarity activities

c) cooperate with other NGOs and movements pursuing the same objectives;

d) lobby in defense of its objectives through contacts with the various Portuguese legislative entities

e) develop relationships of cooperation and dialogue with public figures, institutions and organizations – namely those of Palestine, of the United Nations and of the European Union – and furthermore with movements throughout whole world, including in Israel, who are dedicated to the cause of justice and peace between peoples.

Article 6

(Independence)

1. The MPPM shall operate its activity with full political, religious and economic independence.

2. Notwithstanding the provisions set out in the previous paragraph, the MPPM may associate with national or international organizations pursuing converging objectives.

 

Chapter II

Membership

Article 7

(Acceptance)

1. The Members of MPPM are those individual and legal entities, Portuguese nationals or residents in Portugal, who identify with its principles and aims and whose candidature has been accepted by the Steering Committee.

2. […]

Articles 8 to 12

(Rights, Duties, Fees, Voting rights)

[…]

 

Chapter III

Corporate Bodies

Section I

General provisions

Article 13

(Bodies)

The corporate bodies of the MPPM are the following:

a) The General Assembly;

b) The National Board of Directors;

c) The Steering Committee;

d) The Financial/Audit Commission

Article 14

(Election and co-option)

1. The office bearers of the corporate bodies are elected by the General Assembly especially convened for that purpose, from the members of the MPPM in full exercise of their rights, and by secret, direct and universal ballot.

[…]

Section II

General Assembly

Article 15

(Composition and jurisdiction)

1. The General Assembly is the highest body of the MPPM and is composed of all its Members in full exercise of their rights.

2. Members who are collective bodies shall appoint, to represent them at the meetings of the General Assembly, an individual who will be entitled to one vote.

3. It is the responsibility of the General Assembly:

a) To appraise and discuss the Annual Report on the situation in the Middle East and prospects for MPPM, and other documents and proposals;

b) To take the appropriate decisions in order to achieve the objectives outlined in Chapter One, and to approve policy guidelines and activity plans;

c) To approve the budgets and financial reports;

d) To elect the members of the National Board of Directors, of the Steering Committee, of the Financial Audit Commission and of the Board  of the General Assembly;

e) To appoint representatives of the MPPM to international Non Governmental Organizations of solidarity with the People of Palestine;

[…]

Article 16

(Functioning)

[…]

Section III

National Board of Directors

Article 17

(Composition and jurisdiction)

1. The National Board of Directors of the MPPM is composed of from between 9 to 17 members, among which will include the Coordinator and the Vice-Coordinators, if appointed, from members of the Steering Committee.

2. A Chairman or two co-Chairmen of the MPPM, as well as a variable number of Vice Chairmen will be appointed from among the members of the National Board of Directors.

3. The National Board of Directors` responsibilities will be:

a) To develop and propose an Annual Report to the General Assembly for appraisal and approval on the situation in the Middle East and the prospects for the MPPM, as well as the ensuing policy resolutions and programmes for political action in order to achieve the objectives as outlined in  Chapter One of the present Articles of Association.

b) To express before national and international public opinion, on behalf of the MPPM, the main positions defined and political guidelines seeking, if necessary, the opinion of the Advisory Council;

c) To ensure, in coordination with the Steering Committee, the implementation of the guidelines  and activities approved by the General Assembly, as well as performing the duties pertaining to  the  international relations of the MPPM.

[…]

Article 18

(Functioning)

[…]

Section IV

Steering Committee

Article 19

(Composition and jurisdiction)

1. The Steering Committee is composed of between seven to thirteen members.

2. One of these members will perform the functions of Treasurer, another may carry out the duties of Coordinator of the MPPM while another or others may be Vice-Coordinators of the MPPM.

3. It is the responsibility of the Executive Committee:

a) To coordinate all the national and international activity of the MPPM, according to guidelines and programmes approved by the General Assembly and the National Board of Directors;

b) To express, in the daily activity of the MPPM, political positions and to disseminate   public information, seeking, if necessary, the opinion of the National Board of Directors.

[…]

Article 20

(Functioning)

[…]

Section V

Financial /Audit Commission

Article 21

(Composition and jurisdiction)

1. The Financial /Audit Commission is composed of three members: a Chairman and two Deputies.

[…]

Article 22

(Functioning)

[…]

 

Chapter IV

Advisory Council

Article 23

(Composition, jurisdiction and functioning)

1. The Advisory Council is composed of between 25 to 50 public figures who identify with the objectives of the MPPM and who may or not be members of the Movement.

[…]

Chapter V

Committees for the Rights of the Palestinian People and for Peace in the Middle East

Article 24

(Constitution and dissolution)

1. In order to better pursue its objectives, the MPPM may promote the constitution of Committees, according to geographic areas or areas of activity;

[…]

 

Chapter VI

Ownership of Income and financial management

Article 25

(Property)

1. The Ownership of the Income of the MPPM shall include:

a) The income generated from the contributions of its members;

b) The subsidies and donations, from public or private entities, national or foreign, which have been expressly accepted as such.

c) Other revenue of different sources, such as the output of fund raising initiatives, the sale of merchandising articles or the performance of services that are within the scope of its principles and orientations.

d) Goods resulting from donations, legates or acquisitions that are to be used in the pursuance of MPPM’s objectives.

2. The acceptance of subsidies, donations, offers or legates, cannot compromise the principle of independence set out in Article 6.

Article 26

(Financial management)

[…]

 

Chapter VII

Final and transitory arrangements

Articles 27 to 30

(Modification and Interpretation of Statute, Installation and Dissolution of MPPM)

[…]