Sixteen nations urge safety for Gaza flotilla

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan, along with 15 other countries, on Tuesday voiced concern over the security of the Global Sumud Flotilla, in which their citizens are participating to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

“The foreign ministers of Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain and Türkiye express their concern about the security of the Global Sumud Flotilla — a civil society initiative in which citizens of their countries are taking part,” Foreign Office spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement.

He said the Global Sumud Flotilla has informed about its objective of delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and raising awareness about the urgent humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people and the need to stop the war in Gaza.

“Both objectives, peace and humanitarian aid delivery, together with the respect of international law, including humanitarian law, are shared by our Governments. We therefore call on everyone to refrain from any unlawful or violent act against the Flotilla, to respect international law and international humanitarian law,” Ambassador Khan said.

He recalled that any violation of international law and human rights of the participants in the Flotilla, including attack against vessels in international waters or illegal detention, would lead to accountability.