(VOVworld) – The United Nations said on Thursday it had accepted in principle, in keeping with international procedures, a request from the Palestinians to join 13 international conventions and treaties.

U.N Chief Ban Ki-moon has accepted Palestinian applications to join 13 international conventions (Photo: AFP)

The treaties, submitted to UN headquarters on April 2 by Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour, include the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, the convention on the rights of children, the convention against torture, and against corruption. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the UN Chief Ban Ki Moon has ascertained that the instruments received were in due and proper form before accepting them for deposit. The requests, in principle, take effect 30 days after the UN Chief receives the letter of accession. The Palestinian Authority has also asked Switzerland if it can join the Fourth Geneva Convention from August 1949 and the first additional protocol. It has also asked the Netherlands if it can join the Hague Convention of 1907 on the laws and customs governing war.