UN human rights observer says IDF trying to make Palestinians' lives "as miserable as possible."
By JPOST.COM STAFFjohn dugard un 224 88(photo credit: AP)
The UN should leave the Mideast Quartet unless the group starts taking Palestinian human rights seriously, a UN envoy was quoted by Israel Radio as saying Monday.
John Dugard, the UN's special observer on human rights for the Palestinian territories, told BBC the world body "does itself little good" by remaining in the Mideast Quartet, comprised of the US, the EU, Russia and the UN.
"In my most recent report to the General Assembly...I will suggest that the secretary general withdraw the UN from the Quartet, if the Quartet fails to have regard to the human rights situation in the Palestinian territories," Dugard said.
The South African, who has served in the independent post since 2001, said IDF checkpoints in the West Bank were meant to divide the territory into "cantons" and "make the life of Palestinians as miserable as possible".
An Israeli source downplayed Dugard's remarks, citing his "well-known pro-Palestinian bias."
