UN human rights chief Mary Robinson is planning to travel to the Palestinian territories as soon as possible and may also pay a visit to Israel, a statement released Monday said.
Robinson, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, is also looking into possible stops in other countries in the region.
"Emphasizing the importance of a human rights perspective in the search for a lasting peace, the High Commissioner said it is her intention to visit the occupied territories as soon as that can be arranged," said the statement.
"On the same occasion, she hopes to visit Israel. She will also explore the possibility of visiting a number of other states in the region," it added.
Robinson's visit was decided at a meeting Thursday of the UN Human Rights Commission, which also called for the creation of an international inquiry into the violence of recent weeks in which over 100 people have died, mostly Palestinians.
Israel has already said it will not cooperate with such an inquiry.
Aides to the UN human rights official said Monday they were studying the implications of the resolution, which also called for sending special UN rapporteurs to the Palestinian territories to draw up reports.
Qatar said Sunday it was prepared to cover the cost of the commission of inquiry estimated at 814,000 dollars (968,000 Euros) – GENEVA (AFP)
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