UN accepts Palestinian treaty applications
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has verified that the Palestinian applications to join 13 international conventions were "in due and proper form" and has accepted them.
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Thursday that Ban informed all 193 U.N. member states of his acceptance.
After Israel failed to carry out a planned prisoner release a few days after the end of March deadline, the Palestinians retaliated by signing letters of accession to 15 international conventions. Thirteen were deposited at the U.N., one in Geneva, and one in the Netherlands.
Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, said Tuesday that Palestine will officially become a state party to 13 of the 15 conventions on May 2 — and is ready with more applications to join U.N. agencies, conventions and treaties depending on Israel's actions.
