More importantly and more recently, in the course of discussions between Chairman Arafat's Advisor on Human Rights Abou Degga, and McGill law professor and InterAmicus President Irwin Cotler, Abou Degga reaffirmed the Palestinian Authority's commitment to respect human rights, and made particular reference to the commitments in the Basic Law of the Palestinian Authority in that regard. Further commitments are made in annexes to the Agreement. The following is a sampler of some of these undertakings in the draft Palestinian Authority Basic Law. Article 11 Palestine recognizes and respects the fundamental human rights and freedoms prescribed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Conventions and Covenants which secure such rights and freedoms. Palestinian authorities shall adhere to the said international agreements.
Every person has the right to liberty and security of person.
No person shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No person shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedures as are established by law. All persons are equal in human dignity. No person shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment. In particular, no person shall be subjected without his free consent to medical or scientific experimentation.