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PRESS RELEASE31 May 2010
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network condemnsthe Israeli naval attack against “Gaza Freedom Flotilla”
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) strongly condemns the Israeli military attack on theflotilla of ships that was carrying humanitarian aid and supplies to Gaza and resulted in the killings of at leastfifteen civilians and the injury of dozens of others.The flotilla was met with unprecedented violence. This international aid convoy included MPs from Israel andGermany, human rights activists, writers, scientists, and journalists from Norway, Sweden, Bulgaria and France.The Israeli military intercepted it in international waters; it acted illegally by violently and unjustifiably targetingcivilians.Israel strictly controls the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza as part of its policy of isolation. It is especiallyevident that the blockade of the Gaza Strip, in place since 2007, constitutes the collective punishment of 1.5million Palestinians, in violation of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and therefore must be liftedimmediately.The EMHRN firmly condemns the attack on the ships which resulted in death and injury of the civilian activists,and calls for an immediate, independent and impartial investigation, which should be monitored by theinternational community. The EMHRN also expresses its concern for all the civilians who have been arrestedfollowing the attack on the flotilla, and urges the European Union (EU) to closely follow their situation to ensurethat all of their rights under international and domestic law are scrupulously respected.Finally, the EMHRN calls on the EU High Representative, Baroness Catherine Ashton, and the EU institutions toimmediately take all measures at their disposal to halt the intolerable human rights violations committed byIsrael in and around the Gaza strip, to ensure accountability for the victims of violations of international law, andto urge Israel to immediately lift the blockade.
Contact persons: Alessandro Storer ([email protected] 0032 (0)2 503 0754) or Nathalie Stanus([email protected])
The

EMHRN

(Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network) gathers more than 80 human rights organizations, institutions and individualsbased in 30 countries around the Mediterranean. It works to promote and protect human rights within the framework of the BarcelonaProcess and the co-operation between the European Union and the Arab world.
Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network. 17 rue de Londres, 1050 BruxellesTel: +32 (0)2 503 06 86 / Fax: +32 (0)2 503 05 48