PA applies to join international UN conventions

The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry has confirmed receiving requests made by the Palestinian Authority (PA) to join 13 international UN agreements and conventions.

The PA applied to join the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Children’s rights conventions and anti-torture and corruption conventions.

Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq said the international organisation would discuss what and how to deal with these applications as soon as they are officially submitted to the UN Headquarters.

Meanwhile, the PA asked Switzerland whether it was possible to join the fourth Geneva Conventions and its first ratified protocol. It also asked Holland whether it was possible to join the Hague Convention on Laws and Customs of War on Land, signed in 1907.

PA got the status of a non-member state in the UN in November 2012. This status gives it the ability to join any of the UN agreements and conventions.