Six Australian humanitarian workers — Surya McEwen, Abubakir Rafiq, Hamish Paterson, Juliet Lamont, Bianca Webb-Pullman and Cameron Tribe — remain in Israeli detention following their illegal abduction, in international waters, from the Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla, by Israeli Occupation Forces.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail on September 2 from Barcelona, is a peaceful, non-violent convoy made up of dozens of vessels, carrying food, baby formula, medicine and volunteers from 47 countries to Gaza.
According to the GSF, the participants have been subjected to systematic abuse and denied fundamental human rights since their illegal abduction. Alarmingly, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is refusing to speak with their next of kin, leaving their families in the dark about their wellbeing.
GSF said DFAT has informed families that they will only contact them if the detained person signs a letter approving information sharing with next of kin. The only other situation in which DFAT will provide information is if someone dies. The GSF says this abandonment of Australian citizens in crisis is unacceptable and places lives at risk.
Reports indicate detainees are being denied access to their medications — a deeply concerning development, said the GSF. Two Australians have serious medication needs, including Juliet Lamont and one other participant. The denial of essential medical care constitutes a serious violation of their human rights and puts their health in immediate danger.
Jacinta McEwen, Surya's mother said: "DFAT's refusal to communicate with families is unconscionable. My son could be dying and they won't even tell me if he's okay. The Australian Government has a duty to protect its citizens — they are failing us."
Abuse, torture, humiliation
According to the GSF, upon their abduction from international waters, the 331 flotilla participants, including the six Australians, were forced to kneel for more than five hours with their hands zip-tied behind their backs — after some participants chanted "Free Palestine".
They were denied food, water, sleep and access to bathroom facilities and subjected to aggression, threats and harassment by their captors.
The participants were initially denied access to their lawyers, who had to wait nine hours outside the Ashdod Port before being able to speak with them. Several participants were processed without legal consultation and hearings began without the legal team being notified.
Participants were transferred to Ktzi'ot Prison in the Naqab (Negev) without legal representation and some tribunal hearings initiated and conducted entirely without lawyers present. Their legal team only learned of these proceedings after detainees called them directly.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir appeared at the detention facility in what was clearly an act of humiliation and intimidation, said the GSF. Flotilla participants were filmed and exploited in a degrading display of control.
Israeli officials have conducted a smear campaign, falsely branding flotilla members as "terrorists" to discredit their peaceful humanitarian mission and legitimise the repressive tactics used against them.
Australian government must act
Lawyers have now gained access to the detention facilities and are present in tribunal hearings. They continue to monitor the situation, pursue legal measures to guarantee every participant is accounted for, conduct prison visits, and call for the immediate release of all detainees from unlawful detention and the retrieval of their personal belongings and humanitarian aid supplies.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is demanding that:
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong immediately intervene to secure the release of all six Australian citizens.
- DFAT immediately establish direct communication with families and provide regular updates on their loved ones' condition
- Israeli authorities immediately provide all detainees with access to essential medications, food, water, and medical care
- Australia impose sanctions on Israel for these violations of international law
- All 331 flotilla participants be released immediately and unconditionally
- Israel be held accountable for torture, abuse and systematic violation of human rights.