Abbas to call for protection of Palestinians at UN Human Rights Council session

Speech to cover a number of issues, including Israeli “summary executions” of Palestinians and “assaults” on al-Aksa Mosque, official says.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH, TOVAH LAZAROFF
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the 69th United Nations General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York, September 26, 2014 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the 69th United Nations General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York, September 26, 2014
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to call for international protection for his people when he delivers his first ever speech to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday.
The UNHRC is not in session at this time, but heads of state can request an audience before the 47-member body. This includes the heads of UN non-member states such as Palestine and the Holy See.
The event will not include a debate on issues raised by Abbas nor will any resolutions be approved.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein is the only other person expected to address the meeting.
Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad Malki told PA’s Voice of Palestine radio station that Abbas’s “important” speech before the Human Rights Council will cover a number of issues, including Israeli “summary executions” of Palestinians and “assaults” on al-Aksa Mosque.
Abbas also will update the council on the situation on the ground in the last couple of weeks.
Since its inception in 2006, the UNHRC has issued more country condemnations against Israel than any other nation, and is perceived in Jerusalem to be a biased body that favors the Palestinians.