University Teachers Link (UTL), a platform of public and private university teachers, has expressed deep concern and condemnation over the Israeli attack and forcible detention of vessels from the humanitarian aid mission Global Sumud Flotilla, bound for Gaza.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, UTL Convenor Professor Md Ataur Rahman Biswas and Member Secretary Professor Dr Bilal Hossain denounced the assault as a clear violation of international law and human rights.
Citing international media, the statement noted that Global Sumud Flotilla, comprising more than 50 vessels, departed from Barcelona, Spain, on August 31 to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza. Additional ships joined the mission from Tunisia, Italy and Greece. The flotilla was coordinated by organisations such as Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Global Movement to Gaza and Maghreb Sumud Flotillas, with participation from citizens of over 44 countries.
According to UTL, the flotilla was carrying essential humanitarian aid; including food, water, and medicine, for the besieged population of Gaza. As it neared the Gaza coast, Israeli forces launched what the UTL termed an "aggressive attack" and have since seized at least nine of the aid vessels.
The UTL leaders called the Israeli actions an outrageous breach of international humanitarian principles and demanded accountability from Israel.
They urged global bodies including United Nations, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and major world powers to take action and ensure the safety of all aid workers aboard the flotilla.
They also appealed to the Muslim world to unite and adopt meaningful diplomatic measures against Israel’s repeated violations.
Furthermore, UTL called on the Bangladesh government to issue an official statement of condemnation and take an active diplomatic stance on the global stage.
In a show of solidarity, UTL expressed support for all humanitarian workers involved in the flotilla and offered prayers for their safe return.
They made a special mention of Bangladeshi photographer Shahidul Alam and British-Bangladeshi aid worker Ruhi Loren, urging the international community to ensure the safe and immediate release of all detained activists.
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