Navanethem (Navi) Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has called for an end to the Israeli siege of Gaza Strip and to restrictions on freedom of import-export traffic.

Pillay, speaking before the UN human rights council in Geneva on Monday, said that that such restrictions were negatively affecting the Gaza inhabitants" economic, social, political and civil rights.

The human rights of Gaza inhabitants are still being violated, she said, adding that all restrictions infringing on their human rights should be lifted.

The commissioner also championed independent investigation into reported large scale human rights violations during the Israeli war on Gaza, adding that all parties concerned should completely cooperate with the fact-finding mission headed by judge Richard Goldstone.

In a related context, a report monitoring commercial traffic on the Gaza crossings issued by the Palestinian Trade Center "PALTRADE" said on Tuesday that the Israeli occupation authority had reduced Gaza imports by 80% over the past two years compared to the previous period.