The Independent Commission for Human Rights Geneva Protocols23. States with observer status at the UN have the right to ratify and sign international human rights conventions and international treaties through the contracting agencies. In light of the experience of the Holy See and the relevant resolution of the General Assembly, Palestine can, as observer state at the United Nations, ratify the international conventions on human rights depending on the nature of that ratification of the convention or treaty. The ratification of human rights treaties by Palestine would promote the status of human rights in Palestine because the government would be bound to submit reports to the relevant UN organizations about the progress it would have made concerning its commitment to the treaties, and this would be in addition to other obligations. Thus, there should be internal mechanisms on how to implement ratification of these treaties in light of the disruption of the Palestinian Legislative Council, the limited Palestinian experience in this regard, and the extraordinary situation of Palestine being under occupation. As an observer state, Palestine can also ratify the Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982. As such, Palestine can benefit from such a step in terms of establishing and maintaining Palestinian water rights and sovereignty over its territorial waters and economic region, which comprises about 200 miles of Gaza’s coast. Through this, there is also recourse to the International Court of Justice in the event it is subjected to any aggression. Although Israel is not party to that treaty, Palestine can nevertheless still make use of the potential diplomatic means through the 163 States parties to this convention24. Palestine may also ratify the Vienna Convention on International Treaties of 1969 and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1993. In the same vein, Palestine enjoys complete diplomatic immunities and prerogatives granted according to international law. 1.4: Observer State Accession to UN Specialized Agencies It is worth discussing that observer states in the UN have joined as members of different sub-commissions and specialized agencies and international governmental organizations. These include the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN Conference on Trade and Development, the World Intellectual Property Organization, International Atomic Energy Agency, Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, and the International Committee of Military Medicine25. Observer states can also participate in several specialized agencies of the United Nations26. 23 http://www.holyseemission.org/about/treaties-and-conventions.aspx 24 Palestinian Strategy Conference recommendations following recognition of Palestine as observer state, Hebron University, 10\12\2012. 25 See, for example General Assembly Resolution A/58/314, Participation of the Holy See in the work of the United Nations. 26 The Holy See, for example, participates in several specialized agencies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, International Labor Organization, WHO, UNESCO, Industrial Development Organization, International Fund for Agricultural Development, International Tourism Organization and World Trade Organization. It is a full member of the Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe and Honorary Guest at its Parliamentary Assembly. It also participates in other international gov- 14