An NGO working with refugees has told the Guardian it could launch a legal challenge because the tactic could force desperate people to take more dangerous journeys. In July, there was a flurry of French police interventions near French beaches to stop the boats with footage recorded by the BBC of a boat being punctured in shallow water while carrying asylum seekers. But the interventions were halted in early August following objections from the French police officers' union.
Our boat, the Conscience, was attacked in international waters around 5 a.m. Wednesday morning, said Schnall, who appeared in the video with a black eye and bruises. She added: The brutality began immediately. We were taken through multiple levels of administration and the first of many strip searches. At least one woman has reported being physically penetrated by guards who laughed at her pain.
"After Israeli occupation naval forces illegally intercepted vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla - a peaceful, non-violent convoy carrying food, baby formula, medicine, and volunteers from 47 countries to Gaza - hundreds of participants have been abducted and reportedly taken aboard the large naval vessel, the MSC Johannesburg," flotilla officials said Thursday in a press release. "This was after they were assaulted with water cannons, doused with skunk water, and had their communications systematically jammed in yet more acts of aggression against unarmed civilians."
Our vessels are being illegally intercepted. Cameras are offline and vessels have been boarded by military personnel. We are actively working to confirm the safety and status of all participants on board.
