Foreign Ministers of 16 Countries Call for Respect of International Law and Protection of Freedom Flotilla
More than 50 ships participating in the global Freedom Flotilla have begun setting sail from several ports in Tunisia, Italy, Greece, Libya, and Spain since Sunday evening, September 14. The ships made technical and logistical stops at several Tunisian ports before departing from the port of Bizerte, north of Tunisia, and are expected to converge near Malta before heading towards the Gaza coast, according to a statement released by the International Commission to Break the Siege of Gaza on September 16. On board, the ships are carrying humanitarian aid, including medicine, baby milk, and other essential products. Hundreds of activists and volunteers from over 40 countries are participating in this mission, including a large number of Arab nationals, public figures, parliamentarians, doctors, and representatives of North African civil society. Dozens of participants are also coming from Malaysia, Turkey, and many other regions of the world, the statement adds.
Call for International Protection for Activists on Board
This unprecedented flotilla, in terms of its scale and diversity, represents a new stage in the action of solidarity movements aiming to break the maritime blockade imposed on Gaza. It seeks to make the sea a path to freedom, a humanitarian passage for those who refuse the siege, and a global call to end the oppression of the Palestinian population. "Taking to the sea and facing the risks associated with this mission is a direct response to the call of duty and the cries of the children, women, and men of Gaza, who are defending their land, the dignity of the nation, and fundamental human values," the statement affirms. The International Commission to Break the Siege of Gaza calls for international protection for the activists on board the ships and asks governments with participating nationals to intervene to facilitate the mission and allow the delivery of humanitarian aid. It warns that any attack on the flotilla or its passengers would constitute a serious violation of international law, which explicitly prohibits any aggression against civilian ships in international waters.
Zaher Birawi, President of the Commission, stated: "The world's attention must remain focused on Gaza, on the massacres, destruction, and displacement of people that are taking place there. The monitoring of the flotilla is important, but it should not distract from the ongoing tragedy in Gaza, which is the real story."
16 Countries Call for Avoidance of Violence Against Freedom Flotilla
Meanwhile, the Commission emphasizes that the Foreign Ministers of 16 countries launched a joint appeal on Tuesday in favor of respecting international law and against any illegal or violent action targeting the Freedom Flotilla, which is attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The signatory countries include Turkey, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Pakistan, Qatar, Oman, Slovenia, South Africa, and Spain. In their joint statement, the foreign ministers express their concern for the safety of civilians on board the flotilla, including several nationals of their respective countries. They recall that the primary objective of this maritime mission is to deliver emergency humanitarian aid to Gaza, while raising awareness among the international community about the critical situation of the Palestinian people and the need to end the ongoing war in the enclave. "We call for avoiding any illegal or violent act against the flotilla and for fully respecting international law and international humanitarian law," the statement reads. The ministers also warn that any violation of international law, including attacks on ships in international waters or the arbitrary detention of participants, would engage the legal responsibility of the perpetrators.
