On Wednesday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson expressed her deep concern over, "The deteriorating" human rights situation affecting the entire population in the "Occupied Palestinian Territories " and the worsening human insecurity in Israel as a result of suicide bombings and other attacks, a statement said on Thursday, according to IRNA.
"I join with [UN] Secretary General Kofi Annan in appealing to Israel to lift the "virtual house arrest " imposed on [Palestinian] President Arafat, and I reiterate the strong appeal of [Mideast envoy] Terje Roed-Larsen that urgent efforts be made to get back to the building of peace," the statement said.
She conveyed, "The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, has been present in Gaza since 1996, and has been engaged in supporting the Palestinian Authority in building democratic institutions" adding that, "The current cycle of violence from both sides makes human rights work at once more urgent and more difficult to pursue."
"Such impediments are also contrary to the provisions of the 4th Geneva Convention and international human rights law." Robinson warned, "in light of the damage to the offices of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Gaza City, and injury of other United Nations staff during the recent bombing of the city, I remain extremely concerned about the safety of staff and the ability of the Office to carry out its work under the prevailing conditions." (Albawaba.com)
