UN special rapporteur quits, says Israel denied him access to Palestinian territories

A UN special rapporteur has on Monday in New York accused Israel of denying him access to occupied Palestinian territories.

The rapporteur, Makarim Wibisono, an Indonesian Diplomat who was appointed as UN official responsible for human rights in the Palestinian territories in 2014, said Israel had repeatedly denied his requests to visit the territories.

The Special Rapporteur said in a statement that when he took up the mandate in June 2014, he was assured that he would have access to the occupied territories.

I took up this mandate with the understanding that Israel would grant me access, as an impartial and objective observer,” he said in a statement.

He added that “with no reply from Israel to my latest request in October 2015 to have access by the end of the year, it is with deep regret that I accept that my mandate cannot be fulfilled.’’

Wibisono said the Palestinian government, had, however, been cooperating with him.

He said “I reluctantly wish to pass the baton to a successor and it is my sincere hope that whoever succeeds me will manage to resolve the current impasse.’’

Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Ministry claimed that the real reason for the special rapporteur’s resignation was that the mandate given to him by the Human Rights Council was biased.

The Ministry Spokesman, Emmanuel Nahshon, said the imbalance concerns not only the special rapporteur’s mandate but the conduct of the entire Human Rights Council.

So long as that situation continued, Israel’s treatment of the council and its representatives will be accordingly.’’

Israel had long accused the council of heavy anti-Israel bias. (dpa/NAN)
FHO/HA