Euro-Med Monitor for Human Rights called on EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Human Rights to put Israeli violations against Palestinians on the top of his priorities.

Euro-Med Monitor, in a statement issued on July 26, hailed EU's appointment of Special Representative for Human Rights and choosing Stavros Lambrinidis, Greece former Minister of Foreign Affairs for this new post last Wednesday.

"This step which came upon a proposal by Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, is a significant sign of the increasing understanding of the EU for the importance of human rights promotion as a basis for its foreign polices with all countries, and particularly with the countries of Middle East which are witnessing popular unrests and unstable changes." said Euro-Mid Regional Director Amani Senwar.

She added that the European concern over the promotion of human rights in the region bodes well for strengthening the EU ties with the Arab world, including trade, technology, telecommunication, energy, security policies and foreign ties.

Senwar, also, welcomed the EU's Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, which was followed by the appointment of Stavros Lambrinidis. The Framework sets out clear principles, objectives and priorities which will promote human rights as a basis to EU's external policies.

Euro-Med Monitor for Human Rights- based in Geneva- called on Lambrinidis to collect all reports issued by the different EU bodies regarding the Israeli abuses against Palestinians, and to make use of such reports for maintaining a fair stand towards the Palestinian cause.

Euro-Med Monitor report stressed that any European effort for peace in the Middle East should take serious steps to end human rights violations committed by Israel within the Palestinian Occupied Territories.

It is worth mentioning that the EU has appointed Greece former Foreign Affairs minister Stavros Lambrinidis as its first Special Representative for Human Rights. He will take office early September while his mandate expires two years later. The decision by the EU comes in an effort to "enhance the effectiveness and visibility of EU human rights policy".