Geneva Institute for Human Rights

A group of United Nations independent experts criticized the conclusions of a recently released UN review of Israel's raid on a Turkish-based flotilla on May 31, 2010, which left 9 activists dead. The special rapporteurs, under the auspices of the Human Rights Council, specifically objected to the report's finding that Israel’s naval blockade of the Gaza Strip is legal.

“In pronouncing itself on the legality of the naval blockade, the Palmer Report does not recognize the naval blockade as an integral part of Israel’s closure policy towards Gaza which has a disproportionate impact on the human rights of civilians,” said the rapporteurs, who monitor thematic concerns such as food, health, water and sanitation, and poverty.

Under human rights law and international humanitarian law the people of Gaza, even while living under occupation, have the right to an adequate standard of living, and to the continued improvement of living conditions. This right includes access to affordable and adequate food, and sufficient quantities of safe, accessible and affordable water, as well as proper sanitation services and facilities. Gazans also have the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

A fact-finding mission appointed by the Human Rights Council to inquire into the same incident said in its report last September that the Israeli blockade is illegal.