GENEVA - Decrying attacks against civilians seeking to break the siege on Gaza and deliver much-needed humanitarian aid, UN experts* today demanded the immediate release of Global Sumud Flotilla activists unlawfully arrested and detained in international waters.
"We are seriously concerned over the capture in international waters and reported severe mistreatment of these activists," the experts said. "The attack against a civilian flotilla engaged in a peaceful and strictly humanitarian mission to deliver life-saving goods to the Palestinian people is further evidence that Israel is determined to continue its genocidal policy of suffocating the population of Gaza by any means necessary."
On 29 April, in international waters 500 nautical miles off Israel's coast, Israeli forces unlawfully intercepted 22 boats carrying humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip and detained 180 civilians.
"These actions are a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea," the experts said. "Despite the flotilla being within their search and rescue zone, the Greek coastguard failed to respond to repeated requests for assistance by the flotilla crew, and let the Israeli forces intervene."
"The apparent ease with which Israel carried out these actions raises alarm about the possible complicity of European governments," the experts said.
One vessel was reportedly sabotaged and left adrift with passengers on board. Those detained were later released in Crete, and at least 35 individuals described severe mistreatment and sexual assault, that may amount to torture, inhumane and degrading treatment. Meanwhile, Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian national, and Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish-Swedish national, were unlawfully transferred to Israel, where they are being arbitrarily detained, reportedly in isolation and under harsh conditions. They have begun a hunger strike in protest, the experts said.
"Their detention is unlawful both in terms of the circumstances of their apprehension and the charges brought against them."
The experts are particularly concerned about the brutal conditions long-imposed on Palestinian detainees. Over 9,000 Palestinians are currently held by Israeli forces in conditions that amount to torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
They urged the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained.
The experts recalled the broader, desperate context in Gaza, in which the attack on the flotilla occurred.
"As a party to the Fourth Geneva Convention, Israel must allow and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza. The starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is unlawful," the experts said.
They urged states to unconditionally condemn the attacks against civilian vessels, take urgent measures to release those unlawfully detained and ensure that Israel makes reparations for its violations.
"When the international community failed to ensure the delivery of humanitarian supplies, global civil society has taken action," the experts said. "States should take necessary action to prevent genocide and to support all efforts to deliver aid to the Palestinian population."
