Israel must guarantee the safety and human rights of all individuals aboard the Conscience and other vessels of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition intercepted on Wednesday, a United Nations expert said on the day in Geneva.
鈥楾his attack against unarmed civilians on the high seas is yet another violation of international law by Israel,鈥� said Irene Khan, special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, hours after the Israeli military on Wednesday morning intercepted Conscience along with eight other flotilla vessels carrying mostly professionals and activists, including Bangladeshi photographer and activist Shahidul Alam, as they tried to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza.
All those aboard the Conscience and other vessels in the aid convoy were also detained by the Israel Defence Forces on their way to the Palestinian territory.聽聽
Irene 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, according to a press release of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.
鈥業srael 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,鈥� said the expert.
She called on Israel to grant them immediate access to their legal representatives and consular services.
The boats were reportedly intercepted in international waters by an Israeli military helicopter in the early hours of Wednesday morning, while the Israeli navy simultaneously boarded the boats, said the release.
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, it mentioned.
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鈥檚 siege and blockade of Gaza. Sixteen of those were international journalists from 10 countries, working with more than a dozen media outlets.