Conectas demands Brazilian action in the face of violence against Palestinian civilians in Gaza

On Monday (14), around 60 people were killed and over a thousand injured in action by the Israeli security forces

Conectas vehemently condemns the use of excessive force, including the use of firearms, by the Israeli army in suppressing protests in the occupied Palestinian territories in recent weeks. On Monday 14 May, approximately sixty Palestinians were killed and over a thousand injured. We urge the Israeli security forces to establish an immediate ceasefire and an end to the violence.

The context of the violent repression was the United States Embassy being moved from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem. The move of the Embassy violates several aspects of international law and has contributed to increased conflict in the region.

On Friday 18 May, the UN Human Rights Council will organise a special session to discuss the deterioration of the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. Conectas supports this initiative and regrets the lack of support by the Brazilian state for the initial request for this special session. Conectas demands Brazil’s active participation in condemning the Israeli state’s use of violence. Brazil should contribute in the UN Human Rights Council’s pressure on the international community not to follow in the footsteps of the USA with regards to the location of their embassies. It should also position itself in favour of the establishment of an Inquiry Commission.

We emphasize the need to protect the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and demand independent, transparent investigations into all the cases of death and injury that have occurred in recent weeks. Direct attacks on civilians constitute serious violation of International Humanitarian Law and should be considered to be war crimes.

• See here the call for the UN Human Rights Council session