UN report reveals Israel violated laws in flotilla raid last May

[ 23/09/2010 - 11:29 AM ]

NEW YORK, (PIC)--

A UN Human Rights Council investigation into the deadly Israeli massacre against international activists on board the Freedom Flotilla said in report released on Wednesday that there is “clear evidence” which can be used to prosecute Israel for its attack on the convoy set to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip late last May.

The UNHRC previously voiced the decision to form an independent international mission to discuss the attacks by Israeli forces against the Freedom Flotilla, which left nine dead and sparked international criticism.

The UN probe into the flotilla massacre listened to testimonies of international activists on board the flotilla after making several tours of England, Turkey, Switzerland, and Jordan. Israel declined to cooperate with the UN investigation committee.

“There is clear evidence to support prosecution for the following crimes: willful killing and torture, or inhumane treatment, and deliberately causing severe pain or serious injuries,” experts said in the report.

“The perpetrators in the most serious of the crimes who were masked cannot be identified without the help of Israeli authorities,” experts added, demanding that the Israeli government cooperates in identifying them to prosecute the offenders.

The Brussels-based European campaign to break the siege on Gaza said praising the UN committee over the report: “The report of the commission to investigate violations against the Freedom Flotilla which killed nine activists on board is considered a victory - even though partial - for the blood of those killed on the Freedom Flotilla and for the mission to end the siege on Gaza.”

The campaign said that UN conventions confirm that the siege on the Gaza Strip is unlawful, and that Israeli claims that it was imposed for security reasons in no way justify the blockade.

Threats by Israeli military Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi against the second Freedom Flotilla and other humanitarian aid ships should prompt a global movement against Israel to lift the Gaza siege, the campaign added.

The European campaign announced it will issue a detailed report later based on the UN report, which would include recommendations to convict Israel internationally and force it to lift the unjust siege on Gaza imposed for the fifth straight year.

Turkey welcomes UN Flotilla report

Press TV, Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:41AM

Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu Turkey has praised a UN probe into Israel's deadly takeover of a Turkish-organized aid convoy, describing the investigation as "absolutely unbiased."

Released on Wednesday, the report by the UN Human Rights Council condemned Israel's May 31 attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters, which killed nine Turkish nationals aboard the civilian fleet.

The navy commando attack "constituted grave violations of human rights law and international humanitarian law," the report added.

Briefing reporters in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu welcomed the report as "extremely unbiased and based on sound evidence."

"We appreciate it… It meets our expectations. I hope the Israeli side will... from now on act within international law," he went on to say.

The UN report said there was "clear evidence to support prosecutions" of crimes including "willful killing; torture or inhuman treatment."

Israel had justified the decision to open fire as "self-defense" from activists' violent behavior against Israeli commandos after they stormed the convoy from dinghies and helicopters.

The commission rejected Israel's argument, adding that some had been the victim of actions "consistent with... summary execution."

The May 31 incident further strained Israel's troubled ties with Turkey -- its only Muslim ally -- with Ankara demanding a formal apology from Tel Aviv, compensation for the victims and an end to the blockade of Gaza.

"Our aim is not to cause any political crisis, but to make sure that everyone respects international law and that no country sees itself above the law," Davutoglu said. "We will never allow that in the eastern Mediterranean."

MRS/JG/HRF

Barhoum: UN report enough evidence on IOA crimes against humanity

[ 23/09/2010 - 11:30 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

Fawzi Barhoum, a Hamas spokesman, has affirmed that the UN human rights council's report on the Israeli aggression on the Freedom Flotilla and Gaza siege is another proof incriminating the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) of state terrorism, violation of human rights, and committing crimes against humanity.

Barhoum in a statement on Thursday said that the report puts the world community before a new test; either to apply international justice and put on trial IOA leaders as war criminals or continue to adopt a double-standard policy when it comes to the IOA.

He stressed that the report necessitated swift, practical measures to put IOA leaders and government on trial at the international criminal court for their crimes, and to adopt strict measures against the IOA to deter its "aggression and terrorism".

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