ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, alongside Türkiye, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Maldives and Spain, has strongly condemned what it described as renewed Israeli attacks on the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian-led humanitarian initiative aimed at highlighting the worsening humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians.
In a joint statement issued on Monday by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foreign ministers of the ten countries said the flotilla represented a peaceful humanitarian effort intended to draw international attention to the “catastrophic humanitarian suffering” of the Palestinian people. The ministers denounced the attacks on the vessels and the detention of activists participating in the mission.
The statement expressed grave concern over what it termed repeated Israeli interventions against humanitarian flotillas operating in international waters. The ministers said the continuation of hostile actions against civilian ships and humanitarian campaigners amounted to a serious breach of international law and international humanitarian law.
According to the joint declaration, the attacks on the flotilla, including the alleged assault on vessels and the arbitrary detention of activists, reflected a continuing disregard for internationally recognised legal norms governing the protection of civilians and freedom of navigation.
The participating countries also voiced deep concern over the safety and security of civilians involved in the humanitarian mission. They called for the immediate release of all detained activists and urged that their rights, safety and dignity be fully respected in accordance with international legal obligations.
The ministers further stressed that repeated attacks on peaceful humanitarian initiatives undermined global legal standards and threatened the principles of humanitarian access and civilian protection.
They urged the international community to fulfil its “legal and moral responsibilities” by ensuring the protection of humanitarian missions and civilians operating in conflict-related situations.
The joint statement also called for concrete international measures to prevent further violations and to ensure accountability for actions that contravene international law.
The ministers warned that continued impunity over attacks targeting humanitarian initiatives could further erode respect for international humanitarian principles.
