GENEVA - Israel must guarantee the safety and human rights of all individuals aboard the Conscience and other vessels of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition intercepted this morning, a UN expert said today.
"This attack against unarmed civilians on the high seas is yet another violation of international law by Israel," said Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression.
The boats were reportedly intercepted in international waters by an Israeli military helicopter in the early hours of Wednesday (8) morning, while the Israeli navy simultaneously boarded the boats. The interception is understood to have taken place in international waters, contrary to international law. Members of the flotilla were detained and are reportedly being taken to Ashdod port.
The Conscience, the flagship vessel of this Flotilla was carrying 92 passengers, including journalists, health and care workers, and other human rights defenders, sailing to break Israel's siege and blockade of Gaza. Sixteen of those were international journalists from 10 countries, working with more than a dozen media outlets.
Khan expressed grave concern for the safety of the detained Flotilla crew and members, especially after Global Sumud Flotilla activists reported mistreatment in Israeli detention.
"Israel has an obligation to ensure the rights of all those being arbitrarily detained, including access to healthcare and their rights to be free from torture and ill-treatment," said the experts. "We call on Israel to grant them immediate access to their legal representatives and consular services," she said.
"These courageous journalists were sailing in solidarity with local Palestinian journalists who have borne the brunt of reporting at great danger to themselves. More than 252 Palestinian journalists have lost their lives, and many were deliberately targeted to stop their reporting of war crimes," the Special Rapporteur said.
Khan said the aim of the international journalists travelling on the Conscience was to break Israel's unprecedented ban on free access of international media to Gaza. "The courageous efforts of the journalists in Gaza and on the Freedom Flotilla must not be in vain. The international community must demand from Israel immediate and free access of international media into the besieged enclave and the safety of all journalists there," she said.
"Those who were intercepted have the right to free expression and the freedom to express solidarity with the people of Palestine, and aid them," the expert said. "Israel has an obligation to respect those rights."
