Gaza aid vessel activists faced ‘verbal, physical’ abuse in Israeli detention — Moroccan journalist – TRT World

Report on the Detention of Global Sumud Flotilla Activists and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Incident Summary

An international humanitarian mission, the Global Sumud Flotilla, was intercepted by Israeli authorities in late August while en route to deliver aid to Gaza. This action resulted in the detention of over 400 international activists. This report details the events and analyzes their direct implications for several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

2.0 Chronology of Events

1. Late August: The Global Sumud Flotilla, a multi-national civil society initiative, departed with the stated aim of providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, directly addressing objectives related to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
2. Early September: The flotilla was intercepted in international waters by Israeli forces. Over 400 activists were detained.
3. Friday: Israeli authorities commenced the deportation process for the detained individuals.
4. Saturday: A flight carrying 137 activists of various nationalities, including four Moroccans, arrived in Istanbul.
5. Sunday: Three of the Moroccan activists returned to their home country, while two reportedly remain in detention.

3.0 Allegations of Abuse and Violations of SDG 16

Upon his return, Moroccan journalist and flotilla participant Younes Ait Yassine reported severe mistreatment of detainees, directly challenging the principles of SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The core tenets of this goal, which call for promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice, are undermined by these allegations.

• Testimony: Mr. Ait Yassine stated, “During our detention, we were subjected to verbal, physical, and psychological assaults, enduring violations and humiliation of our human dignity.”
• SDG 16 Implications: The reported actions contravene targets aimed at reducing all forms of violence and promoting non-discriminatory laws and policies. The detention in international waters and the alleged treatment of activists raise significant questions regarding adherence to international law and justice.

4.0 Impact on Broader Sustainable Development Goals

The incident extends beyond SDG 16, impacting other critical development areas.

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The alleged physical and psychological abuse constitutes a direct assault on the well-being of the activists. Furthermore, the interception of the flotilla prevents the delivery of aid intended to support the strained health and well-being of the population in Gaza.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The flotilla represented a global partnership of civil society actors working to achieve humanitarian objectives. The obstruction of this mission highlights the challenges faced by such partnerships in conflict-affected regions, hindering progress towards the goals.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is central to the article, which details the detention of activists and the violation of their human rights. The journalist’s account of being “kidnapped in international waters” and subjected to “verbal, physical, and psychological assaults, enduring violations and humiliation of our human dignity” directly relates to the promotion of peace, ensuring justice, and holding institutions accountable for violence and human rights abuses.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  Although not the main focus, this goal is implicitly connected. The “Global Sumud Flotilla” was organized with the purpose to “provide aid to Gaza” and “break the blockade.” This action implies a recognized need for essential supplies, including food, in Gaza, thus touching upon the issue of food security and access to sufficient food for a vulnerable population.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article highlights a multi-stakeholder, international effort. The “Global Sumud Flotilla” involved “activists of various nationalities,” including Moroccans, and received support from a “special Turkish Airlines flight” for their return. This demonstrates a civil society partnership working across borders to achieve a common humanitarian objective, which is the essence of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

   The activists’ experience of being “subjected to verbal, physical, and psychological assaults” is a direct example of the violence this target aims to reduce. The article highlights a situation where individuals suffered physical and psychological harm at the hands of state authorities.

2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

   The claim that the activists were “kidnapped in international waters” points to a violation of international law. Their subsequent detention and abuse without apparent due process demonstrate a failure to ensure access to justice, which is a core component of this target.

3. Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.

   The flotilla’s mission to “provide aid to Gaza” is a direct attempt to address the needs of a vulnerable population under a blockade. This action is aimed at ensuring access to essential supplies, which aligns with the goal of ending hunger and food insecurity.

4. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…

   The flotilla itself is an example of this target in action. It is described as a “Global” effort involving “137 activists of various nationalities,” including Moroccans, who collaborated to achieve their goal. This represents a civil society partnership operating on an international scale.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Implied Indicator for Target 16.1: Number of individuals subjected to physical, psychological, or verbal violence.

  The article provides qualitative evidence of this indicator. The statement from Younes Ait Yassine that “we were subjected to verbal, physical, and psychological assaults” serves as a direct report of violence experienced by a group of individuals (“more than 400 people” were detained). This could be quantified to measure the prevalence of such violence in specific contexts.

• Implied Indicator for Target 16.3: Number of individuals arbitrarily detained.

  The article describes the activists as being “kidnapped in international waters” and subsequently detained and deported. The narrative implies a lack of formal legal proceedings or due process, which can be used as a qualitative indicator for measuring the state of the rule of law and access to justice. The number of people detained (“more than 400 people”) and deported provides a quantitative data point.

• Implied Indicator for Target 17.17: Nature and number of multi-stakeholder partnerships for sustainable development.

  The article describes the existence and composition of such a partnership. The “Global Sumud Flotilla” is identified as an international civil society initiative. The mention of “activists of various nationalities” and the involvement of “Turkish Airlines” in repatriation efforts illustrates the cross-border and multi-actor nature of the partnership, serving as a qualitative indicator of its formation and operation.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: trtworld.com