Israel must guarantee the safety and human rights of all individuals aboard the ‘Conscience’ and other vessels of the ‘Freedom Flotilla Coalition’ which were intercepted early Wednesday, a UN expert has said.
“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 intercepted in international waters by an Israeli military helicopter, while the Israeli navy simultaneously boarded the vessels, according to a UN press release.
The interception reportedly took place in international waters, in violation of international law.
Members of the Flotilla were detained and are being taken to Ashdod port.
The Conscience, the flotilla’s flagship, carried 92 passengers, including journalists, health and care workers, and other human rights defenders, on a mission to break Israel’s siege and blockade of Gaza.
Among them were 16 international journalists from 10 countries, working with more than a dozen media outlets.
Khan expressed deep concern for the safety of the detained flotilla members, particularly after Global Sumud Flotilla activists reported mistreatment in Israeli custody.
“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. We call on Israel to grant them immediate access to their legal representatives and consular services,” the expert said.
She went on to say, “These courageous journalists were sailing in solidarity with local Palestinian journalists who have borne the brunt of reporting at great danger to them. More than 252 Palestinian journalists have lost their lives, and many were deliberately targeted to stop their reporting of war crimes.”
Khan said the international journalists on the Conscience aimed to challenge Israel’s unprecedented restrictions on free media access 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. Israel has an obligation to respect those rights,” the expert emphasised.
Among those aboard the flotilla was Bangladeshi activist and globally renowned photographer Shahidul Alam, who was sailing with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
In a Facebook post, he shared that the flotilla he is aboard has been intercepted at sea and that he and his fellow travelers have been ‘kidnapped by the Occupation Forces of Israel’.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Wednesday demanded immediate release of Shahidul Alam.
"Shahidul stands as a shining embodiment of the unyielding spirit of Bangladesh. May Allah protect and keep Shahidul and the rest of the team safe," he said.
