GENEVA (AFP) — The UN's independent expert on human rights in the Palestinian territories on Monday asked to examine violations committed not just by Israel but also by Palestinians.
Special Rapporteur Richard Falk's current mandate only applies to Israeli violations of human rights in the Palestinian territories.
"This has allowed critics of the Human Rights Council and of the reports of this particular mandate to complain about the bias and one-sidedness of the approach taken. With all due respect, I believe that such complaints have considerable merit," Falk told the Human Rights Council.
He asked for the mandate to be broadened to Palestinian violations of international humanitarian law, saying that it would "enhance the credibility and effectiveness" of his reports, as well as respond "in a constructive way to criticism that have been made in the past".
The Human Rights Council is expected to take a decision on the mandate during a sitting in September.
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