Parliamentarians issue plea for immediate release of flotilla activists

Parliamentarians from Turkey and Europe, including members of the European Parliament, have issued a plea for the immediate release of activists who took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla, currently detained by Israel.

The statement condemned Israel's illegal interception of the boats as a "blatant breach of international law", and urged governments to push for "the immediate and unconditional release of remaining detainees, with protection from ill-treatment and guaranteed medical care, legal counsel and consular access".

Israeli forces illegally boarded the boats which were carrying over 450 activists and aid to Gaza on 1 October.

While many of the detained activists have been deported, the statement emphasised that "many remain in a high security prison with no clarity on their status".

It added that detainees had reported being denied essential medicines, deprived of adequate food and water, being subjected to unsanitary conditions, humiliation, denial of legal counsel and consular access - concluding that this treatment constitutes a breach of international humanitarian law.

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