By Prensa Latina
United Nations : UN Special Secretary for Religious Freedom Asma Jahangir condemned Israel on Monday for imposing “discriminatory and arbitrary” restrictions on Muslim and Christian access to sacred places.
The expert in human rights affairs spoke on the matter after concluding a visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories of Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
In published statements, the UN special secretary said Israel has a complex system of permits, visas, controls and fences that make it difficult for Muslims and Christians to access sacred places.
The Israeli government said these restrictions are necessary for security reasons, but the UN secretary stressed “any measure against terrorism should comply with the regulations imposed by international law.”
Jahangir held that these restrictions are inopportune and out of proportion in relation to their objective.
She also criticized that the identity cards of Palestinians in the occupied territories shows their religious belief, something not established for Israeli citizens.
She also noted that more than 200,000 people in Israel cannot legally marry, because they do not have religious affiliation.
“I want to emphasize that religious freedom or freedom of belief includes the right to not believe,” the UN special secretary said.