ISRAEL: Israel needs to heed international calls for free flow of information‏

ISRAEL: Israel needs to heed international calls for free flow of information

ARTICLE 19 is calling for an open, international, independent and impartial investigation into the use of lethal force by the Israeli Defence Forces which resulted in a number of deaths onboard the Gaza-bound flotilla on 31 May.

The blocking of all communication channels, including mobile phones, shortly after the assault, followed by the arbitrary detention of journalists, human rights monitors and others who were travelling onboard the flotilla, are evidence of censorship and a news blackout by Israeli state authorities. Such actions curtail the free flow of information, as protected by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil on Political Rights to which Israel is party.

The one-sided information originating from official Israeli sources on the circumstances surrounding the assault and the deaths restricts the right to information and minimises the possibilities for international public scrutiny of the actions of the Israeli Defence Forces and thus for accountability.

As early as 1946, at its very first session, in the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 59(I) which states that “Freedom of information is a fundamental human right and ... the touchstone of all the freedoms to which the United Nations is consecrated.”

Freedom of expression, including access to information, is also essential to the realization of what is commonly referred to as the “right to truth.” The UN Commission on Human Rights, at its 61st session, adopted Resolution 2005/66, which ‘‘Recognizes the importance of respecting and ensuring the right to the truth so as to contribute to ending impunity and to promote and protect human rights.’’

The investigation into the assault against the flotilla must be open, international, impartial and independent. It should focus on the legality of the Israeli assault in international waters and thus the legality of the blockade, and the proportionality of the use of force. An international investigation team should be allowed access to government-held information on the matter, as well as direct access to those involved in the assault, witnesses and those subsequently detained.

NOTES :

• For more information: please contact Mona Samari, +44 (0) 7515 828 939, mona@article19.org


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more info.

The Siasat Daily2010-06-01
Gaza, June 01: Israeli commandos on Monday attacked a high-profile Gaza-bound aid flotilla, killing up to 19 people and triggering in its wake a wave of outrage across the globe. The convoy of six ships was assaulted in the early hours after commandos slithered down from helicopters and confronted passengers on board, mostly pro-Palestinian activists.


http://www.examiner.com/x-27745-SF-Headlines-Examiner~y2010m5d31-Israel-Defense-Forces-IDF-Hamas-statements-on-Gaza-flotilla-violence

Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Hamas, activists statements on Gaza flotilla violence

Israel has met with protests around the world and here in the San Francisco Bay Area following its raid on a flotilla of boats headed for the Gaza Strip. Click here for a slideshow of photos related to the incident

Israel says it was defending itself after those on one of the vessels attacked its soldiers. It displayed weapons confiscated by those on board and showed video of the soldiers being attacked.

The activists onboard say that they were attacked by the soldiers after they raised the white flag of surrender and that they were simply trying to bring humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, which has been under a blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt since Hamas took over Gaza in 2007.

The public relations war is being fought by activists around the world through video and protests. Click here for two sets of videos with different points of view on what happened. The Israeli Consulate in San Francisco also posted YouTube videos from IDF on its Web site.

Below is the official statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), after that is the official statement from Hamas. Following that is a statement from the San Francisco Bay Area based Free Palestine Movement organization.