"For the past six weeks, I have repeatedly sought the cooperation of the Government of Israel to facilitate access to the occupied Palestinian territory for me to undertake this visit. Regrettably, I did not receive the necessary support, including a visa by the Government of Israel, ahead of my travel, which is scheduled for tomorrow," Rashida Manjoo said in a statement.
According to the statement, Manjoo was expected in the Palestinian Authority from January 19 to 29 after an invitation by the Palestinian Authority, to obtain a "first-hand understanding" of the localized violence against women.
"It is unfortunate that I have been denied the opportunity to engage directly with women survivors of violence, and that the exercise of my mandate has been hindered by the unwillingness of the Government of Israel, as the occupying power, to facilitate access to the occupied Palestinian territory," she said.
During her visit, Manjoo was expected to meet with Palestinian officials, law enforcement agents, representatives of civil society organizations, and survivors of violence in several locations. Visits to prisons, refugee camps and shelters for women survivors of violence were also planned.
The UN special rapporteur stated she was still interested in visiting the occupied Palestinian territory, and urged Israeli authorities to facilitate access to the area.
The Palestinian Authority has sought to create a sovereign state on the territories of the West Bank, including portions of East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
