NEW YORK, Sept 19 — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep regret over the United States’ decision to deny visas to Palestinian officials, preventing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from attending this year’s UN General Assembly high-level week in person.
Stéphane Dujarric, chief spokesman for the Secretary-General, conveyed Guterres’ concern regarding the sanctions imposed by the host nation that restrict members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and Palestinian Authority officials from attending UN meetings in New York.
“The secretary-general deeply regrets the announcement by the United States extending sanctions that would deny visas to members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation and officials of the Palestinian Authority to participate in meetings of the United Nations,” Dujarric said.
Guterres urged the United States to fulfill its legal obligations under the 1947 UN-US Headquarters Agreement, which requires the host country to facilitate the entry of all official delegations to UN headquarters. Dujarric noted that the Secretary-General will continue engaging with American authorities regarding the matter.
Following the US Department of State’s announcement continuing the visa restrictions, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Thursday permitting President Abbas to deliver his address to the General Debate virtually. This marks the second consecutive year that US visa denials have barred the Palestinian President from attending the high-level diplomatic gathering in person.
-NMT
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