The implications of applying the principle of equality to public utility services

Abstract

The application of the principle of equality in front of public facilities in its general concept is the corner stone in every Democratic Organization of public rights and fundamental freedoms, and we find its basis in all the heavenly laws, including Islamic law, and this is stipulated by the Holy Qur'an, specifically in Surah Al-Hujrat verse 13 by saying Almighty (O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.), and there are many Quranic verses that emphasized the equality of human beings without discrimination as we also find the basis of the principle of equality in international declarations and charters, positive legislation, national constitutions and judicial rulings. The principle of equality in the scope of public utility services means equal and identical treatment without discrimination for any reason as long as they are in similar legal positions. Any violation of this principle exposes the responsible administrative bodies to legal accountability. The principle of equality is one of the basic principles governing public utilities and focuses in its general meaning on the need for the entity responsible for managing the public facility to perform its services without any discrimination between all individuals without justification and for all those who meet the conditions set by law to benefit from public utility services and the importance of this principle it is very relevant to the normal daily life of all individuals and therefore Its application in the context of Public Utility Services has implications that are reflected on the level of service provided in the entire society, as well as the importance of highlighting this vital issue related to the scarcity of studies that have studied the application of the principle of equality in front of Public Utility Services.