The United Nations on Wednesday demanded that Israel “immediately and unconditionally” release two activists seized from a Gaza-bound flotilla.
Thameen Al-Kheetan, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, made the demand in a statement.
According to him, the two individuals — Saif Abukeshek and Thiago de Avila — were detained in international waters and transferred to Israel, where they remain in custody “without charge.”
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“It is not a crime to show solidarity and attempt to bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in Gaza, who are in dire need of it,” he said.
He also voiced concern over “disturbing accounts” of severe mistreatment of the two detainees and called for investigations and accountability for those responsible.
The spokesperson further urged Israel to end its use of “arbitrary detention and broadly defined terrorism legislation” that is inconsistent with international human rights law.
He also called on Israel to lift its blockade on Gaza and allow sufficient humanitarian assistance into the Strip.
