Det danske Fredsakademi
Kronologi over fredssagen og international politik 1. Juni 2010 / Time Line June 1, 2010
Version 3.006/01/2010
Peace Boat i København
Den 1. juni kommer 10
såkaldte ”Hibakusha” (”Jeg
overlevede bomben”) til København med Peace Boat. De
10 Hibakusha er mere end 70 år gamle og overlevende efter
bombningerne af Hiroshima og Nagasaki i 1945. Mange af dem har
trods sygdomme dedikeret deres liv til at advare verden mod brugen
af atomvåben gennem deres egne gribende beretninger om
hvorfor det aldrig mere må ske. De bliver modtaget på
Københavns Rådhus af kultur og fritidsborgmester Pia
Allerslev og skal derefter til Christianshavns Gymnasium og SGI
Nordisk Kulturcenter på Østerbro.
Program for besøget:
Program 1.juni 9.00 til 16.30
9.00 til 9.45
Rådhuset, Rådhuspladsen 1, 1599 København V.
Værelse 86.
To overlevende fra Hiroshima og Nagasaki bombningerne, også
kaldet Hibakushas, bliver taget imod af Kultur og
fritidsborgermester Pia Allerslev på Københavns
Rådhus. Efterfølgende mulighed for interview med
japansk/engelsk oversætter tilstede.
10.00 til 11.30
Otte Hibakushas besøger Christian IV sal, Christianshavns
Gymnasium, Prinsessegade 62, København.
10.00-10.05 Velkomsttale af Lektor Gorm Gunnarsen
10.05-10.15 Fredssange sunget af SGI kor
10.15-11.30 Fortællinger fra overlevende efter Hiroshima og
Nagasaki bombningerne (Hibakushas)
Dansk oversættelse.
Mulighed for efterfølgende interview.
15.00 til 16.30
En gruppe Hibakushas besøger SGI's Nordisk Kulturcenter,
A.F. Kriegersvej 3, 2100 København Ø.
15.00-15.20 præsentation af aktiviteterne og historien bag
Peace Boat (Peace Boat)
15.20-16:30 Fortællinger fra overlevende efter Hiroshima og
Nagasaki bombningerne (Hibakushas)
For yderligere information kontakt: Meri Joyce: telefon 2794 7468
– international koordinator Peace Boat Camilla Cecilie
Valeur: telefon 24873836 – SGI Danmark
Peace Boat 69ende verdensrejse med besøg i
København:
Peace Boat sejlede fra Japan den 16. april 2010 og skal
besøge 22 anløbshavne i 20 lande rundt om i verden,
herunder København den 1.juni. Med om bord er ti Hibakusha
(atombombe overlevende). Rejsen finder sted på samme
tidspunkt som USA og Rusland skal underskrive en ny START-aftale og
USA presser på for at få en styrket
ikke-spredningsaftale vedtaget i FN. Fredsbådens rejse har et
stærkt fokus på nedrustning af kernevåben og
hvordan man kan skabe en fredelig , atomvåbenfri verden.
Skibet vil vende tilbage til Japan den 25. juli, 2010. For mere
information: www.peaceboat.org
Peace Boat: er en japansk NGO, der foretager sine vigtigste
aktiviteter gennem en lejret passagerskib, som rejser rundt i
verden på fredsmissioner. Tre verdensrejser og en kortere
rejse i Asien er normalt organiseret hvert år. De tre
måneders lange verdensrejser har typisk følgeskab af
800 deltagere og besøg i 15-20 lande.
06/01/2010
Israeli Murderous Action
Appeal of the BRussells Tribunal
Dead: 19. Injured: 60.
This is Israel
Israel’s killing of 19 innocents with 60 more injured must
have maximal consequences
Israel impunity is a threat to all
Even for eyes burnt witnessing human suffering, there is something
shocking, something impossible, about watching Israeli soldiers,
armed and in gas masks, fast-roping from helicopters onto an aid
ship filled with civilians — journalists, parliamentarians,
human rights activists, mothers, doctors — headed to Gaza to
break the inhuman siege that keeps 1.5 million people somewhere
between life and death.
The Mavi Marmara, carrying 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid, was
flying a white flag: a universal symbol of non-violence. It was
also flying the Turkish flag, in international waters, giving it
status as a sovereign extension of Turkey. Regardless, Israel
attacked. For what does Israel fight? Its existence, or the
continuance of a regime of collective punishment calculated to
destroy the Palestinians? Or are these the same thing? Dead: 19.
Injured: 60. Who gave the order? Will NATO react to an attack on
one of its members?
Simple public murder
The right to exist cannot be asserted through murder. The very
acceptance of Israel into the United Nations System was — in
1948 — conditioned on the former recognising the equal rights
of Arabs, in particular the right of return of Palestinians. Not
only has Israel prevented the return of refugees, it took over by
force and occupied in 1967 the rest of historic Palestine. From
founding until now we have witnessed an unending catalogue of
Israeli atrocities. By these countless atrocities, Israel has
forfeited any claim to legality — it is moreover a state that
refuses to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty or consider
giving up its nuclear weapons.
Gaza is both the world’s largest open-air prison and the 21st
century’s undeclared concentration camp. Everybody knows it.
The UN knows it. The US president knows it. Tens of thousands of
civil servants in countries across the world know it. The siege is
a way of sealing the exits, and of slow killing. It is an atrocity
on the same level as genocide. Here every man and woman has a moral
duty: inaction is complicity and a betrayal of humanity. All legal
rights are with those who attempt to end this situation by whatever
means.
The Freedom Flotilla is such an attempt: it is a refusal of inhuman
suffering. Its symbolism is more powerful than any navy. As such,
it remains what it was as it embarked on its journey: a signal of
the collapse of the blockade. Where earlier lone vessels tried to
reach Gaza, now they go in groups. More will follow. When a
thousand ships set sail, what would Israel do?
Israel on trial
Israel lost the battle for international public opinion a long time
ago. None can forget the relentless strafing of a captive civilian
population in Israel’s last war on Gaza. Who can Israel hope
to persuade now?
¦ We condemn the illegal, immoral and inhuman blockade on
Gaza, and all who uphold it
¦ We condemn Israel
¦ We condemn Israel’s brutal attack on peace activists
in international waters. We declare that 700 brave souls, from 50
nations, represent something real that Israeli propaganda cannot
erase
¦ We mourn the 19 murdered and express hope and solidarity
with the 60 injured. We demand of Israel the release of all
activists detained
¦ We call on all international institutions —
including the UN, the EU and human rights agencies and
organisations — to declare themselves unequivocally on this
latest Israeli atrocity and to work towards ending Israeli
impunity
¦ We demand an international tribunal to judge all Israeli
crimes, past and present. We call on the UN General Assembly to
request of the International Court of Justice an advisory opinion
on the legality of Israel within the United Nations System given
its systematic and gross disrespect of international law and moral
authority
¦ We support all efforts by all means to free the people of
Gaza from their prison and their suffering, including sanctions and
divestment against Israel, a general boycott, and the boycott
— by workers federations — of all ships going to and
from Israel
¦ We call upon people everywhere to express their solidarity
with the dead and injured, and with Palestinians under occupation,
in local expressions of outrage wherever it is deemed useful.
¦ We call on all associations, unions, parliaments,
professionals and others to endorse this appeal and its demands.
Please distribute and act upon it.
The BRussells Tribunal Committee
06/01/2010
Security Council calls for prompt, impartial probe into deadly
Gaza convoy incident
1 June 2010 – The Security Council today condemned the acts
that led to the deaths of at least 10 civilians after the Israeli
military yesterday intercepted a convoy of aid ships bound for
Gaza, calling for a “prompt, impartial, credible and
transparent investigation.”
Dozens of others were also wounded when Israeli forces took control
of the six-ship flotilla in international waters, according to
press reports. The convoy was said to have been carrying
educational, medical and construction materials, as well as
hundreds of activists from different countries.
In a presidential statement issued early this morning, the Council
said that it “deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries
resulting from the use of force during the Israeli military
operation in international waters against the convoy sailing to
Gaza.
“The Council, in this context, condemns those acts which
resulted in the loss of at least 10 civilians and many wounded, and
expresses its condolences to their families.”
The 15-member body called on Israel to immediately release the
ships and the civilians sailing on them, allow the countries
involved to retrieve their deceased and wounded, and ensure the
delivery of the humanitarian aid aboard the ships to Gaza.
The Council stressed that “the situation in Gaza is not
sustainable,” again voicing its “grave concern”
over the humanitarian situation in the area and emphasizing the
need for the regular movement of goods and people.
The United Nations has repeatedly spoken out against the closure of
Gaza and raised concern over the insufficient flow of material into
the area to meet basic needs and spur reconstruction. Mr. Ban
cautioned in a recent meeting that the closure “creates
unacceptable suffering, hurts forces of moderation and empowers
extremists.”
The Council today underscored that the only solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict is “an agreement negotiated
between the parties,” reiterating that “only a
two-State solution, with an independent and viable Palestinian
State living side-by-side in peace and security with Israel and is
other neighbours, could bring peace to the region.”
Voicing support for the proximity talks that started between the
two sides last month, the Council urged the parties to act with
restraint and avoid unilateral and provocative moves.
Addressing an urgent session of the Human Rights Council today in
Geneva, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kyung-wha Kang
expressed shock “that humanitarian aid would be met with such
violence, and we unequivocally condemn what appears to be a
disproportionate use of force.”
She again appealed for an end to the blockade, causing the
suffering of 1.5 million Gazans, which she characterized as
“an affront to human dignity.”
Ms. Kang expressed hope that “the Israeli Government will
take the necessary decisive actions to demonstrate to the
international community a clear commitment to abide by
international law.”
In the run-up to yesterday’s incident, which was also
condemned by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other UN officials,
Israel had stated it would not let the vessels reach Gaza. The UN
urged last week “that all involved act with a sense of care
and responsibility and work for a satisfactory
resolution.”
31 May 2010
Security Council
SC/9940
Security Council
6325th & 6326th Meetings (PM & Night)
Security Council Condemns Acts Resulting in Civilian Deaths
during Israeli Operation
against Gaza-Bound Aid Convoy, Calls for Investigation, in
Presidential Statement
Also Briefed by United Nations Political Official, Who Says
Bloodshed Would Have Been Avoided if Israel Had Lifted
Unacceptable, Counterproductive Blockade
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, the Security Council
expressed deep regret at the loss of life and injuries resulting
from the use of force during the Israeli military operation early
on Monday in international waters against the convoy sailing to
Gaza, and condemned those acts which had killed at least 10
civilians and wounded many more.
Twelve hours after convening an emergency session on Monday in
response to the Israeli “operation” on the Gaza-bound
maritime convoy, the Council issued the statement, read out by
Claude Heller of Mexico, whose delegation leads the Council in June
(Lebanon was the Council President until midnight, 31 May),
requesting the immediate release of the ships, as well as the
civilians held by Israel.
The Council urged Israel to permit full consular access, to allow
the countries concerned to retrieve their deceased and wounded
immediately, and to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance
from the convoy to its destination.
It took note of the statement of United Nations Secretary-General
on the need to have a full investigation into the matter and it
called for a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent
investigation conforming to international standards.
Stressing that the situation in Gaza was not sustainable, the
Council re-emphasized the importance of the full implementation of
resolutions 1850 (2008) and 1860 (2009). In that context, it
reiterated its grave concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza
and stressed the need for the sustained and regular flow of goods
and people to Gaza, as well as unimpeded provision and distribution
of humanitarian assistance throughout the enclave. The Council also
expressed support for the proximity talks.
At an earlier meeting Monday afternoon, Oscar Fernandez-Taranco,
Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, briefed the
Council on the incident, reporting that Israeli naval forces had
boarded a six-ship convoy, which had been heading towards Gaza. The
stated purpose of the convoy was to deliver humanitarian aid to
Gaza and to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza, he said, making
clear the United Nations has “no independent information on
what transpired”.
He said that in the lead-up to today’s events, the Israeli
authorities had conveyed their intention, both publicly and through
diplomatic channels, not to allow the convoy to reach Gaza. The
Israeli authorities had stated that if the convoy proceeded,
contrary to those warnings, they would divert it to an Israeli
port, inspect the cargo, facilitate the entry of only those goods
that were allowed into Gaza in accordance with Israel’s
blockade, and deport those on-board.
The organizers of the convoy had indicated their intention to
proceed with their convoy and to attempt to deliver their full
consignment of cargo to Gaza and to break the blockade, he said.
And a committee of persons organized by the de facto Hamas
authorities in Gaza had been formed to receive the convoy.
According to the Israeli authorities, Israel naval forces had
conveyed directly to the convoy in the early hours of Monday that
they would not be allowed to reach port in Gaza, he said. However,
the convoy had proceeded towards Gaza. At approximately 0400 hours
local time, the Israeli navy had acted to intercept the convoy.
That had reportedly taken place some 40 nautical miles off the
coast, in international waters, and had reportedly involved Israeli
military personnel boarding the vessels, supported by naval ships
and helicopters.
Given the circumstances, he said, “it is not possible to
state definitively the sequence or details of what happened”.
The Israeli Government had stated that the demonstrators on-board
had used knives and clubs against Israel Defense Forces naval
personnel, and possibly live fire, and that a weapon had been
grabbed from one of its soldiers. Given that those who had been
on-board were now in Israeli custody and had had their transmission
equipment confiscated, further information from the convoy’s
organizers had been minimal since the incident.
He said that the Secretary-General had stated earlier on Monday in
Kampala that he was “shocked” by the killings and
injuries of people on the boats and had condemned the violence. He
had called for a full investigation to determine exactly how the
bloodshed had taken place and stressed that Israel must urgently
provide a full explanation. In Mr. Fernandez Taranco’s view,
today’s bloodshed would have been avoided if repeated calls
on Israel to end the counterproductive and unacceptable blockade of
Gaza had been heeded.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, said he was
distraught by the incident, which was a grave breach of
international law and constituted banditry and piracy — it
was “murder” conducted by a State, without
justification. A nation that followed that path lost its legitimacy
as a respectable member of the international community. The
children of Gaza, meanwhile, did not know where their next meal was
coming from; they had received no education and had no future.
Today, many humanitarian workers returned home in body bags. Israel
had “blood on its hands”.
High-seas freedom, he said, freedom of navigation, was one of the
oldest forms of international law; no vessel could be stopped or
boarded without the consent of the captain or flag State. Any
suspected violation of the law did not absolve the intervening
State under international law. To treat humanitarian delivery as a
hostile act and to treat aid workers as combatants could not be
deemed legal or legitimate. Any attempt to legitimize the attack
was futile.
This was an attack on the United Nations and its values, he said,
adding that the international system had suffered a sharp blow, and
now “it is our responsibility to rectify this and prove that
common sense and respect to international law prevails”.
Israel must be prepared to face the consequences of its crimes. The
processes in place had been suffocated by that one single act.
Israel had become an advocate of aggression and the use of force.
He called on the people of Israel to express dismay. Steps must be
taken to reinstate Israel’s status as a credible partner and
responsible member of the international community.
The Security Council should react strongly and adopt a presidential
statement today strongly condemning Israel and demanding an urgent
inquiry and punishment for the perpetrators, he urged. He called on
the body to step up and do what was expected of it.
The Palestinian Authority had declared a state of mourning for
three days, said the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United
Nations, adding that everyone was a victim, to be mourned as
martyrs of Palestine. It was high time for the Security Council to
take decisive measures against Israel, which always acted beyond
the law, he stressed. The continuation of the Gaza blockade and the
starvation of the people who lived there was what had led to
today’s crime and had allowed hundreds around the world
“to be on our side”.
He promised that the fleets would continue to come until the
blockade was ended and the suffering ameliorated for the
Palestinian people. The attack of those unarmed civilians aboard
foreign ships in international waters was more proof that Israel
acted as a country beyond the law. Hence, the international
community must take “urgent and suitable” measures. It
was time for the Council to put an end to the unjustifiable
blockade imposed on 1.5 million Palestinians and to implement its
resolution 1860 (2009).
Israel’s representative told the Council that, although the
flotilla was portrayed in the media as a humanitarian mission, it
was anything but. If that were truly the case, the organizers of
the mission would have accepted weeks ago Israel’s offer to
transfer the aid brought on the flotilla through the Israeli port
of Ashdod and through the established Israeli procedures. Much
material and merchandise was entering Gaza daily through those
mechanisms. “I would like to stress there is no humanitarian
crisis in Gaza,” he said. The flotilla’s organizers had
not only rejected Israel’s offer, but they had stated that
their mission was not about delivering humanitarian supplies, but
about breaking the Israeli siege on Gaza.
“What kind of humanitarian activists demand to bypass the
United Nations, the Red Cross and other internationally recognized
agencies?” he asked. “What kind of peace activists use
knives, clubs and other weapons to attack soldiers who board a ship
in accordance with international law?” he said. He asked what
kind of activists embraced Hamas and terrorist organizations that
openly shunned a two-State solution and called for Israel’s
destruction. “The answer is clear. They are not peace
activists; they are not messengers of goodwill. They cynically use
the guise of humanitarian aid to send a message of hate and to
implement violence.”
Council members around the table were generally united in strongly
condemning the incident, deploring the loss of life and calling for
a release by the Israeli authorities of the detainees. They agreed
on the unambiguous need for an independent and in-depth
investigation, with most suggesting that Israel bore the
responsibility to provide a full account of what had occurred and
to describe the efforts it had made to minimize the loss of life
and injuries.
Context for today’s tragedy, many said, were the Israeli
restrictions on Gaza, which they insisted must be lifted, in line
with resolution 1860 (2009). The current closure was deemed
unacceptable and counterproductive, and ending it was among the
highest priorities of many of their Governments and of the
international community as a whole. There were calls for continued
humanitarian reconstruction aid and economic development assistance
for Gaza, with some speakers saying Monday morning’s events
had also highlighted the need, once again, for a comprehensive
solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Additional statements were made by the representatives of the
United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil, Austria, Japan, Nigeria, United
States, Russian Federation, Uganda, China, France, Gabon, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, and Lebanon.
The first meeting, on Monday, was called to order at 1:55 p.m. and
adjourned at 3:19 p.m. The second meeting began at 1:43 a.m. on
Tuesday and ended at 1:51 a.m.
Presidential Statement
The full text of the presidential statement, to be issued as
document S/PRST/2010/9, reads as follows:
“The Security Council deeply regrets the loss of life and
injuries resulting from the use of force during the Israeli
military operation in international waters against the convoy
sailing to Gaza. The Council, in this context, condemns those acts
which resulted in the loss of at least 10 civilians and many
wounded, and expresses its condolences to their families.
“The Security Council requests the immediate release of the
ships as well as the civilians held by Israel. The Council urges
Israel to permit full consular access, to allow the countries
concerned to retrieve their deceased and wounded immediately, and
to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance from the convoy
to its destination.
“The Security Council takes note of the statement of the
United Nations Secretary–General on the need to have a full
investigation into the matter and it calls for a prompt, impartial,
credible and transparent investigation conforming to international
standards.
“The Security Council stresses that the situation in Gaza is
not sustainable. The Council re-emphasizes the importance of the
full implementation of resolutions 1850 (2008) and 1860 (2009). In
that context, it reiterates its grave concern at the humanitarian
situation in Gaza and stresses the need for sustained and regular
flow of goods and people to Gaza as well as unimpeded provision and
distribution of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza.
“The Security Council underscores that the only viable
solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an agreement negotiated
between the parties and re-emphasizes that only a two-State
solution, with an independent and viable Palestinian State living
side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other
neighbours, could bring peace to the region.
“The Security Council expresses support for the proximity
talks and voices concern that this incident took place while the
proximity talks are under way and urges the parties to act with
restraint, avoiding any unilateral and provocative actions, and all
international partners to promote an atmosphere of cooperation
between the parties and throughout the region.”
 |
 |