Arab states request emergency meeting of UN human rights commission

The Arab states started on Tuesday contacts to convene an emergency meeting of the UN human rights commission over violence in Palestine.

Diplomatic sources told MAP office in Geneva that the Arab states, who also want an international investigations on aggressions against the Palestinians in Al-Quds (Jerusalem), in the West Bank and Gaza, have contacted the commission chairmanship to have the alarming situation examined.

The UN commission, which comprises member-states - including Morocco- will be holding its ordinary session next March-April.

According to the sources, ambassador of member countries of the Arab League in Geneva have also decided to send a letter to the human rights commission chairman and to the UN high commissioner for human rights. The Arab states will request a firm international condemnation of Israeli soldiers' "cruel and inhumane treatments" of Palestinians.

The Arab diplomats also held a meeting with UN secretary general Kofi Annan before his departure to Strasbourg, France.