Monday, October 06, 2025

Justice is not served until the criminals of the Global Sumud Flotilla are charged and tried in Malaysia or..Criticism alone and celebrating release not Enough

 


Media Statement – 6/10/2025

Justice is not served until the criminals of the Global Sumud Flotilla are charged and tried in Malaysia or elsewhere for the crimes they committed against Malaysians and others – Criticism alone and celebrating release not Enough

Malaysia can charge them in Malaysian Court

MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture) is apalled by the CRIMES committed by persons/officers from the Israeli Zionist regime on about 400 persons, including Malaysians on board the Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail last month for Gaza.

It is sad that Prime Minister Anwar have still not come out strongly saying that Malaysia will prosecute the perpetrators for terror offences, human trafficking and the other crimes.

The Malaysians (and others) were forcibly abducted at sea outside Israel, and then forcibly taken into Israel, detained and there are also allegations of torture. They were also denied the fundamental human right to consult and/or be represented by a lawyer of their choice. They were treated like undocumented migrants that entered Israel without permission, which is baseless. They were allegedly pressured, deceived, misrepresented and/or tricked resulting some allegedly admitting to the crime of illegally entering Israel.

Iylia Balqis, a 28-year-old activist from Malaysia, was reported saying ‘…that Israel's interception of the boats was "the worst experience". "We were handcuffed (with hands behind our backs), we couldn't walk, some of us were made to lie face down on the ground, and then we were denied water, and some of us were denied medicine," she said…’(France 24, 4/10/2025)

Paolo Romano, a regional councillor from Lombardy in Italy said they tried to force them to admit they had entered Israel illegally. "But we never entered Israel illegally. We were in international waters and it was our right to be there. "On landing, they were taken to a prison and held there without being allowed out and were not given bottled water, he said. "They were opening the door during the night and shouting at us with guns to scare us," he said."We were treated like animals."(France24)

Turkish journalist and Gaza Sumud Flotilla participant Ersin Celik told local media outlets he witnessed Israeli forces “torture Greta Thunberg,” describing how she was “dragged on the ground” and “forced to kiss the Israeli flag.”

Malaysian activist Hazwani Helmi and American participant Windfield Beaver gave similar accounts at Istanbul Airport, alleging Thunberg was shoved and paraded with an Israeli flag. “It was a disaster. They treated us like animals,” Helmi said, adding that detainees were denied food, clean water, and medication. Aljazeera, 4/10/2025

PM Anwar’s Response to Date Is Lacking

As such, just the facilitating the safe return of these Malaysians is simply not enough. Malaysia needs to do more.

We cannot ignore the fact that they are all victims of serious crimes and violation of human rights - abduction/kidnapping or worse human trafficking. They were also allegedly tortured, violated and had their human rights violated by 'persons unidentified' but most likely linked to the Zionist Regime of Israel.

Such crimes against Malaysian citizens cannot be treated lightly or ignored. These are serious crimes, which could also be terror offences, or even trafficking in person offences.

It would be best if Malaysia charge the suspected criminals for the crimes they committed against Malaysians and/or their families. Failing which, Malaysia will be a laughing stock – for failing to prosecute these criminals who made Malaysians victims. Mere relief for their release without prosecuting the criminals is not JUSTICE.

Malaysia can charge them in Malaysia – Trial in Absentia Is Possible

Universal jurisdiction allows a state to prosecute certain serious crimes regardless of where they were committed and irrespective of the nationality of the accused or the victim.

Malaysia has already proclaimed that it has universal jurisdiction for, amongst others, terrorism offences and human trafficking.

Attention be drawn to Malaysian Delegation statement at the UN in New York on 17/10/2013, where it was said, ‘For Malaysia, any exercise of universal jurisdiction must be based on enabling domestic law. Malaysia already has in place its domestic legal framework which provides for extra-territorial criminal jurisdiction. Of foremost relevance is in relation to terrorism offences whereby section 4 of the Penal Code of Malaysia established the extra-territorial application of the offences while section 22 (a)(v) of the Court of Judicature Act 1964 empowers the courts to take jurisdiction over those offences. In relation to other offences such as trafficking in persons, computer crimes, and money laundering which also give extra-territorial application, the court’s jurisdiction is provided therefore under the respective laws.’(“The Scope And Application Of The Principle Of Universal Jurisdiction” At The Sixth Committee Of The Sixty-Eighth Session Of The United Nations General Assembly New York, 17 October 2013)

MADPET verily believes that Malaysia can already prosecute the criminal suspects in this case, as it certainly is a terrorist offence and/or a trafficking of persons offence.

Note that in the Anti-Trafficking In Persons And Anti-Smuggling Of Migrants Act 2007, "trafficking in persons" means all actions of recruiting, conveying, transferring, acquiring, maintaining, harbouring, providing or receiving, a person, for the purpose of exploitation, by the following means: (a) threat or use of force or other forms of coercion; (b) abduction; (c) fraud; (d) deception; (e) abuse of power; (f) abuse of the position of vulnerability of a person to an act of trafficking in persons; or  (g) the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to obtain the consent of a person having control over the trafficked person;..’

It must be noted that in Malaysia, criminal trial can proceed even if the accused chose not to attend court to be charged or for the trial as provided for in Section 425A of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), making it possible to have a trial in absentia. That section was introduced to deal also with the situations where the accused could not be brought to court to be charged and tried.

"Passive Personality Principle" – Right To Prosecute Criminals where the victims are Malaysians

It is right that Malaysia claims the right in law to be able to prosecute in Malaysian courts, perpetrators of crime against Malaysians. No more should a foreign national who raped, killed or committed a crime against a Malaysian outside Malaysia be able to escape being prosecuted by Malaysia in the Malaysian courts. Enact the law to make this happen.

Additionally, regarding crimes committed against a citizen of the prosecuting state, universal jurisdiction can be applied under the "passive personality principle," which permits a state to assert jurisdiction based on the nationality of the victim rather than the offender or the location of the crime. Countries that permit universal jurisdiction based on victim nationality (the "passive personality principle") in their legal frameworks now include Brazil, Ethiopia, India, and Italy. There is no reason why Malaysia cannot be the same, and have the capacity to act against perpetrators of crimes against Malaysian victims committed overseas.

Reconsider Acceding to the Rome Statute – Another Access To Court for Malaysia To Prosecute Criminals/States

Malaysia has withdrawn its accession to the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC). Although Malaysia acceded to the Statute in March 2019, it rescinded this decision a month later in April 2019.

If Malaysia still now acceded to the Rome Statute, then Malaysia would have had the abilityity to also use the International Criminal Court (ICC) but it now does not now. MADPET urges Malaysia to review its decision and accede to the Rome Statute again, so that it will have ONE additional venue to access justice, especially when Malaysians are victims of foreign nationals/States.

Political Will and GUTS

MADPET prays that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Malaysian Government has the needed political will and GUTS to ensure justice be done – criminals should be prosecuted for their crimes, and victims should be entitled to adequate compensation and an apology.

Let not maintaining or strengthening diplomatic relationship result in a ‘soft’ stance, and allowing the perpetrators of crimes and injustice escape without having to pay for the crimes and rights violations.

Act Fast, Investigate, Identify Individual Perpetrators and Prosecute

Malaysia needs to act fast, to identify the individuals and officers who committed the crimes, and prosecute and take legal action against them, and not just lay blame on the Zionist regime of Israel or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

It is not justice when the Malaysian Government compensate the victims of death in custody, but the actual criminal officers get off scot free without being tried, convicted and sentenced, or even paying damages from their own pocket. Such is not justice done, when the real perpetrators end up not paying for their crimes.

So, ensure that the individual criminals are identified and prosecuted, not just the Israeli government. Israel has ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and so the acts of torture and others by these Israeli officers are reasonably also crimes in Israel itself, thus these individuals will be  personally responsible for their wrongdoings/crimes.

Non-Action or prosecution of individual perpetrators will only create greater impunity amongst these Israeli officers/persons.

 

Charles Hector

For and on behalf of MADPET(Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture)

#### 

 


Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has condemned Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) which had been carrying unarmed civilians and humanitarian aid bound for Gaza....Anwar also vowed that Malaysia would pursue “all legitimate and lawful means” to hold Israel accountable, particularly in cases involving Malaysian citizens.“The safety and dignity of our people are paramount, and we will not allow them to be compromised with impunity,” he said. - FMT, 2/10/2025

So why did the government introduce trial in absentia?

Section 425A was introduced by the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) administration through an amendment that was passed by the Dewan Rakyat on May 19, 2016 and the Dewan Negara on June 13, 2016.

According to the Parliament Hansard, the then de facto law minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri explained on May 19, 2016, that the provision enabling trial in absentia was not to be simply used for all cases, but with the courts to provide checks and balance by deciding whether to apply it.

Nancy had listed various reasons that led to the government wanting to introduce it, including the infamous blogger Alvin Tan who fled abroad before his trial, cases that involve “national interest”, as well as to prevent “abuse of process” by the accused and ensure that justice is not only for the accused but also the victims. - Malay Mail, 12/12/2018

A case can be commenced at the International Criminal Court (ICC) through a referral from a State Party to the Rome Statute, the UN Security Council, or through an investigation initiated by the ICC Prosecutor (called a proprio motu investigation).

Activist wants Israeli officers charged over GSF volunteer mistreatment

Charles Hector says Malaysia has the legal framework to act against the Israeli officers who allegedly tortured volunteers participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla.

charles hector
Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture spokesman Charles Hector said crimes against citizens cannot be treated lightly or ignored. (File pic)
PETALING JAYA:
A rights activist has called for Israeli government officers to be charged following allegations that Malaysian volunteers who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission to Gaza were ill treated while in custody.

Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (Madpet) spokesman Charles Hector said the Malaysians and other volunteers were treated like undocumented migrants who had entered Israel without permission, adding that this was baseless.

“We cannot ignore the fact that they are all victims of serious crimes and violation of human rights – abduction, kidnapping or worse, human trafficking,” he said in a statement.

Reports also claimed that the GSF vessels had been intercepted in international waters, against international maritime law.

Hector said such crimes against Malaysians could not be treated lightly or ignored, and that it would be best if Malaysia charged the suspected criminals with the crimes they had committed against Malaysians and/or their families.

Yesterday, a lawyer representing the 23 Malaysian volunteers on GSF said that some of them were slapped in the face, had their hair pulled, and were given “animal food” while in Israeli custody.

Fahmi Abd Moin said the conditions the Malaysians faced while in custody were conveyed to him after a “casual conversation” with them in Istanbul, Turkey.

Fahmi also said that his team would gather information from the volunteers once they were back in Malaysia, and might consider sending a full report to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Enabling framework

Citing a Malaysian delegation statement to the UN in 2013, Hector said that Malaysia already had universal jurisdiction over crimes including terrorism and human trafficking.

He said that universal jurisdiction allowed a state to prosecute certain serious crimes regardless of where they were committed and irrespective of the nationality of the accused or the victim.

He added that universal jurisdiction could be applied under the “passive personality principle”, which permits a state to assert jurisdiction based on the nationality of the victim rather than the offender or the location of the crime.

Hector also said that in Malaysia, criminal trials can proceed even if the accused chooses not to attend court to be charged or for the trial, as provided for in Section 425A of the Criminal Procedure Code, making it possible to hold a trial in absentia.

“Madpet believes that Malaysia can already prosecute the criminal suspects in this case, as it certainly is a terrorist offence and/or a trafficking of persons offence.

“Malaysia must act quickly, identify the individuals and officers who committed the crimes, and prosecute and take legal action against them, not just lay blame on the Zionist regime of Israel or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,” he said.

Hector also urged Malaysia to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute, saying this would allow the country to use the International Criminal Court as an additional avenue for justice when citizens become victims of actions by foreign states. - FMT, 6/10/2025

'We were treated like animals', deported Gaza flotilla activists say

Istanbul (AFP) – International activists who arrived in Istanbul after being deported from Israel following the military's interception of their Gaza-bound flotilla said Saturday they had been subjected to violence and "treated like animals".

A flag-waving crowd gathered at Istanbul airport to welcome back the Gaza flotilla activists after they were deported from Israel
A flag-waving crowd gathered at Istanbul airport to welcome back the Gaza flotilla activists after they were deported from Israel © Yasin AKGUL / AFP

The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail last month seeking to ferry aid to war-battered Gaza but Israel blocked the boats, detaining more than 400 people whom it began deporting on Friday.

Of that number, 137 activists from 13 countries flew into Istanbul on Saturday, among them 36 Turkish nationals.

"We were intercepted by a huge number of military vessels," Paolo Romano, a regional councillor from Lombardy in Italy, told AFP at Istanbul airport.

"Some boats were also hit by water cannon. All of the boats were taken by very heavily armed people and brought to shore," the 29-year-old said.

"They put us on our knees, facing down. And if we moved, they hit us. They were laughing at us, insulting us and hitting us," he said.

"They were using both psychological and physical violence."

Among those on board the flotilla, which counted some 45 vessels, were politicians and activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.

Nearly 140 Gaza flotilla activists were flown to Istanbul on Saturday, among them 36 Turkish nationals
Nearly 140 Gaza flotilla activists were flown to Istanbul on Saturday, among them 36 Turkish nationals © Yasin AKGUL / AFP

Romano said they tried to force them to admit they had entered Israel illegally.

"But we never entered Israel illegally. We were in international waters and it was our right to be there."

On landing, they were taken to a prison and held there without being allowed out and were not given bottled water, he said.

"They were opening the door during the night and shouting at us with guns to scare us," he said.

"We were treated like animals."

-'Worst experience'-

Iylia Balqis, a 28-year-old activist from Malaysia, said Israel's interception of the boats was "the worst experience".

"We were handcuffed (with hands behind our backs), we couldn't walk, some of us were made to lie face down on the ground, and then we were denied water, and some of us were denied medicine," she said.

The flotilla participants arrived on a Turkish Airlines flight into Istanbul airport
The flotilla participants arrived on a Turkish Airlines flight into Istanbul airport © Yasin AKGUL / AFP

The activists were flown to Istanbul on a specially-chartered Turkish Airlines plane.

In a post on X, the Israeli foreign ministry confirmed "137 more provocateurs of the Hamas–Sumud flotilla were deported today to Turkey".

Relatives of the Turkish activists could be seen awaiting their arrival at the VIP lounge inside Istanbul airport, waving Turkish and Palestinian flags and chanting "Israel murderer".

The Turkish activists were to undergo medical checks on arrival and would appear in court on Sunday to give testimony, their lawyers said.

Turkey has denounced Israel's interception of the flotilla as "an act of terrorism", saying Thursday it had opened an investigation.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan praised the activists as "brave individuals who gave voice to humanity's conscience" in a post on X and said Ankara would ensure all of its nationals were brought back, without giving an overall number.

Italian journalist Lorenzo D'Agostino, who was on board the flotilla to cover its mission, said they "were kidnapped in international waters when we were 55 miles (88 kilometres) from Gaza".

"It was two hellish days that we spent in prison. We are out now thanks to the pressure of the international public that supports Palestine," he said.

"I really hope this situation ends soon because it has been barbaric the way we have been treated."

Libyan activist Malik Qutait said he was not afraid and vowed to keep trying to reach Gaza.

"I will collect my group, arrange medicine, aid and a ship and I will try again," he said.


Greta Thunberg mistreated by Israeli forces in detention, activists say

Activists describe mistreatment after Israel intercepted Gaza aid flotilla and detained about 450 people.

Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg (C) deported, after she was arrested on board an aid boat for Gaza with other pro-Palestinian activists who were taken to Ben Gurion airport for deportation on June 10 2025 [File: Anders WIKLUND/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP]
Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg (C) deported, after she was arrested on board an aid boat for Gaza with other pro-Palestinian activists who were taken to Ben Gurion airport for deportation on June 10 2025 [File: Anders WIKLUND/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP]

Several international activists deported from Israel after joining a Gaza aid flotilla have accused Israeli forces of mistreating climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.

The 137 deportees landed in Istanbul on Saturday, including 36 Turkish nationals alongside activists from the United States, Italy, Malaysia, Kuwait, Switzerland, Tunisia, Libya, Jordan and other countries, Turkish officials confirmed.

Turkish journalist and Gaza Sumud Flotilla participant Ersin Celik told local media outlets he witnessed Israeli forces “torture Greta Thunberg,” describing how she was “dragged on the ground” and “forced to kiss the Israeli flag.”

Malaysian activist Hazwani Helmi and American participant Windfield Beaver gave similar accounts at Istanbul Airport, alleging Thunberg was shoved and paraded with an Israeli flag.

“It was a disaster. They treated us like animals,” Helmi said, adding that detainees were denied food, clean water, and medication.

Beaver said Thunberg was “treated terribly” and “used as propaganda,” recalling how she was shoved into a room as far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered.

Italian journalist Lorenzo Agostino, who had been on the flotilla, also cited the treatment of Thunberg.

“Greta Thunberg, a brave woman, is only 22 years old. She was humiliated and wrapped in an Israeli flag and exhibited like a trophy,” he told Anadolu.

Others described severe mistreatment. Turkish TV presenter Ikbal Gurpinar said, “They treated us like dogs. They left us hungry for three days. They didn’t give us water; we had to drink from the toilet … It was a terribly hot day, and we were all roasting.” She said the ordeal gave her “a better understanding of Gaza”.

Turkish activist Aycin Kantoglu recounted bloodstained prison walls and messages scrawled by previous detainees. “We saw mothers writing their children’s names on the walls. We actually experienced a little bit of what Palestinians go through,” she said.

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said 26 Italians had been deported, while 15 remained in Israeli custody awaiting expulsion.

Italian MP Arturo Scotto, who was on the flotilla, told reporters, “Those who were acting legally were the people aboard those boats; those who acted illegally were those who prevented them from reaching Gaza.”

Adalah, an Israeli rights group providing legal aid, said that detainees reported being forced to kneel with zip-tied hands for hours, denied medication, and blocked from speaking with lawyers. Israel’s foreign ministry dismissed the claims as “complete lies,” insisting all detainees were treated according to law.

“All of Adalah’s claims are complete lies. Of course, all detainees … were given access to water, food, and restrooms; they were not denied access to legal counsel, and all their legal rights were fully upheld,” a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson told the news agency Reuters.

Israel has faced mounting condemnation for the raid on the flotilla, which saw its navy intercept approximately 40 boats carrying aid to Gaza and detain more than 450 people on board.

Critics say the assault underscores the illegality of Israel’s blockade, which has cut off the enclave’s 2.3 million residents during Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza.

The flotilla, launched in late August, was the latest international effort to break Israel’s siege and deliver aid to Palestinians. - Al-Jazeera, 4/10/2025

Israel arrests over 20 reporters as it intercepts Global Sumud Gaza Flotilla

Among the some 20 journalists on board were reporters from Spain’s El Pais, Qatar’s Al Jazeera and Italy’s public broadcaster RAI.
Friday 03/10/2025
Palestinian artists work on a mural paying tribute to  the Global Sumud Flotilla, in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on October 3, 2025.
Palestinian artists work on a mural paying tribute to the Global Sumud Flotilla, in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on October 3, 2025.

PARIS

Reporters Without Borders has condemned Israel’s arrest of “more than 20 foreign journalists” after Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, calling for their immediate release.

In a statement released on Thursday evening, the Paris-based media watchdog said there were more than 20 foreign reporters on board the Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail last month for Gaza, where the United Nations says famine is taking place.

The journalists were arrested between Wednesday and Thursday when the Israeli navy began intercepting the boats ferrying politicians and activists including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg towards Gaza, RSF said.

Vessels with more than 400 people on board had been prevented from reaching the Gaza Strip, an Israeli official said on Thursday.

“Arresting journalists and preventing them from doing their work is a serious violation of the right to inform and be informed,” said Martin Roux, head of RSF’s crisis desk.

“RSF condemns the illegal arrest of the news professionals who were on board these ships to cover a humanitarian operation of unprecedented scale,” said Roux.

Among the some 20 journalists on board were reporters from Spain’s El Pais, Qatar’s Al Jazeera and Italy’s public broadcaster RAI.

The media organisations have had “no news of their journalists” since arrests began on Wednesday evening, said RSF.

Israel said it would deport those arrested to Europe, adding that none of the vessels had breached its maritime blockade of Gaza.

Since the start of the war, the international press has not been allowed to operate freely in the Palestinian territory.

Only a handful of selected media outlets has been permitted entry, embedded with the Israeli army, and their reporting is subject to strict military censorship.

According to RSF, more than 210 journalists have been killed since the beginning of Israeli military operations in Gaza, launched in retaliation for the October 7, 2023, attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Israel’s retaliatory military campaign since then has killed 66,225 Palestinians in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the enclave, which the United Nations considers reliable. - The Arab Weekly, 3/10/2025

The Malaysian Bar Condemns Global Sumud Flotilla Interception, Welcomes the Planned Release of Malaysian Nationals, and Urges Urgent Action 3 Oct 2025 6:31 pm

The Malaysian Bar condemns Israel’s interception of civilian vessels as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (“GSF”) and the illegal detention of our Malaysian nationals, which reportedly occurred on international waters off the Gaza coast.1  At the time of this statement, 40 vessels were intercepted2 and 23 Malaysians have been illegally detained by the Israel Defense Forces.3  Such conduct amounts to violations of customary international law that are codified in international legal instruments, including Articles 17 and 87 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,4 Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949,5 and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2728.6

Humanitarian assistance to civilians is a right recognised under international law.  States have an obligation to facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of relief supplies to civilians in need, subject only to impartial and reasonable supervision.7  Reports of force being employed against humanitarian vessels raise concerns of breaches of these obligations.8

The role of the Malaysian Bar in this context is clear: our statement forms part of a collective professional record that strengthens global efforts to secure humanitarian access, protect civilians, and achieve eventual justice. As the former Chair of the United Nations’ Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, Mohan Pieris, warned:

“Under our watch, we have been permitting the clock to turn back to an era of unchecked barbarity … So I ask the question: to what end does our silence ultimately serve? Surely, it is serving to tear lives apart, fuel endless cycles of violence, set an entire region ablaze, and dismantle the very protections we established to safeguard humanity — all for the short-term geopolitical interests of a few … I urge each and every one of you: do not turn a deaf ear. History will not forgive or forget our inaction and complicity.’9

Given these realities, the Malaysian Bar’s calls for action are as follows:

(a) While we note the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s announcement that the detainees are in good health and will be deported to Europe,10 we stress that Israel must follow through by ensuring full compliance with international law by securing their prompt release;11

(b) Israel must comply fully with the provisional measures ordered in the case of South Africa v. Israel by the International Court of Justice (“ICJ”);12

(c) Israel must comply with the recommendations outlined in Part VIII of the “Legal analysis of the conduct of Israel in Gaza pursuant to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide” by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel;13

(d) The Government of Malaysia should explore all avenues in supporting the ongoing proceedings before the ICJ in the case of South Africa v. Israel;14

(e) The international community must protect civilians and hold Israel accountable for their actions; and

(f) Law Societies and Bar Associations across the globe must persist in holding their governments accountable to the international rule of law.

The Malaysian Bar is in solidarity with those who have been detained, the many more who have been hindered from carrying out humanitarian initiatives, and the civilian lives lost during this crisis.  All parties must be reminded that the protection of civilians is an obligation erga omnes — towards all.

 

Mohamad Ezri b Abdul Wahab
President
Malaysian Bar

3 October 2025

 


3PM Anwar confirms 23 Malaysians detained by Israeli forces”, Sinar Daily, 2 October 2025.  

7 Rule 55. Access for Humanitarian Relief to Civilians in Need, International Humanitarian Law Databases.  

9 The Question of Palestine, United Nations website, 2024.

11 Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (“OHCHR”) website, 1996–2005.  

 

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