UN expert warns of poor conditions for rights workers in Israel News
UN expert warns of poor conditions for rights workers in Israel

The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 Michael Lynk [official profile] warned [draft report, PDF; press release] Tuesday of worsening conditions for human rights workers in the region. Lynk called on the Israeli government to improve its treatment of rights workers, saying, “[t]hey have experienced sophisticated interference with their vital work, and have faced toxic denunciations aimed at silencing them and discouraging their supporters.” He also expressed concern over Israel’s continued construction of settlements under the Regularization Bill [text, PDF] and urged the government to comply with Security Council Resolution 2334 [text, PDF] calling for an end to the settlements.

The situation in Israel and Palestine continues to draw international attention. On Thursday the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia took a move against the current position of the Secretary General when they released a report that accused Israel of implementing an apartheid regime [JURIST report] in the settlements, which was later taken down by the agency. It is not the first time that the UN has been critical of Israel. Earlier in March two UN rights experts denounced Israel [JURIST report] for increased restrictions on human rights advocates. The country has even begun to deny visas, as in February when Israel denied an entry visa [JURIST report] for an advocacy researcher.

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