Canadian Activists Call for Government Action After Flotilla Detention

(MENAFN) Canadian activists who participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza have criticized the Canadian government for what they describe as a lack of response to their calls for accountability following their detention by Israeli forces, according to reports.

Speaking at a news conference in Ottawa alongside lawmakers from the New Democratic Party, Safa Chebbi, one of the Canadian participants, said the group had been mistreated during detention and subjected to severe physical and psychological abuse.

"During our detention, we were mistreated, subjected to physical and psychological violence, beaten, electrocuted, prevented from sleeping, threatened several times, tortured, or submitted to sexual assault, either by both men and women," Safa Chebbi, one of the Canadian participants, said during a news conference in Ottawa alongside New Democratic Party (NDP) lawmakers.

She added that the activists and their families had twice written to Canadian authorities requesting meetings with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, but said they had not received any response.

According to her remarks, the group is also calling for stronger action from Ottawa, including sanctions and a full arms embargo, arguing that Canada has failed to ensure accountability and continues to permit military-related transfers to Israel.

Chebbi further stated that Canadians were “illegally held captive” and urged the government to reconsider its policies regarding military cooperation and diplomatic pressure.

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