A call by the Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies (CSBR)

As 45 leading non-governmental organizations and academic institutions from the Middle East, North Africa, South and South East Asia, we condemn in the strongest possible terms the unremitting bloody attacks of Israel on Gaza Strip, and are deeply alarmed by the international community and agencies’ complicity and lack of political will to end this massacre.

What is being deemed a “retaliation” by the Israeli government is in fact a brutal military attack killing hundreds of civilians, including women and children, and wounding thousands. The attacks come after a year of economic strangulation, cutting off Gaza’s resources, denying Palestinian students’ access to education, separating and secluding family members, causing more violence and abuse, especially of women and children, restricting proper medical services, and more.  

Since December 29, the Israeli military has been draining Gaza’s already shortened fuel and electricity by blocking the industrial diesel for Gaza’s power plant. Power outages in Gaza’s main hospital, Shifa have extended 20 hours per day. The severe shortage of medicine, fuel and food continues, despite the rising death toll and injured people. Once again, women and children are those most affected by the immediate and long term consequences of this brutal military operation and siege.

With the ongoing attacks using state terrorism, Israel has been grossly violating international humanitarian law and committing blatant war crimes, as well as falling completely short of any commitment for peace and justice in the region.

The denial of basic human rights as living in security, freedom, justice and equality for Palestinian people not only jeopardizes the lives of millions of Palestinians, but also the humanity of the world, and international peace and justice.

We remind all power holders that the violation of fundemental human rights will have long-term negative political, economic, and humanitarian ramifications for all people involved. We insist that Israel has the responsibility to ensure the right to life, health, work, education, and movement as mandated in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which Israel ratified in 1991.

We urgently demand that:

·        Israel immediately stop the atrocious military attacks on Palestinian people in Gaza;
·        Access to Gaza for all humanitarian aid be instated;
·        The United Nation’s every relevant organ take the necessary actions to bring the Israeli attack to an immediate end and stop this gross violation of international humanitarian law;
·        Governments, civil society, and policy makers exert pressure on international authorities and the governments of Israel and the U.S. to implement an immediate cease-fire and begin preparations for an end to the blockade and the occupation of Gaza and the West Bank;
·        The European Union and the Union for the Mediterranean, of which Israel is a member, exert pressure on Israel for an immediate ceasefire and end to the occupation;
·        The international community and all U.N. member states, in particular the U.S. administration end their complicity in the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza;
·        The international community, in particular the U.S. administration, stop providing direct and indirect support to Israel’s military operations and support the peace negotiations;
·        The Israeli government, Palestinian authorities, and the international community take into account the efforts of Palestinian, Israeli, and international civil society struggling for peace and involve them in peace negotiation processes;
·        The Israeli government and Palestinian authorities resume deliberations to bring an end to the Israeli occupation, and achieve a just and sustainable peace based on international law.

The Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies

Signatory Organizations

AAHUNG - PAKISTAN
AFTURD - TUNUS
Ahfad University for Women - SUDAN
AMARGI Kadin Akademisi - TÜRKIYE
AMDF / Synergie Civique - FAS
Association Démocratique des Femmes du Maroc (ADFM) - FAS
Association Tunisenne des Femmes Democrats (ATFD) - TUNUS
BRAC University - BANGLADES
Collectif 95 Maghreb Egalite - CEZAYIR
Egyptian Initiative For Personal Rights (EIPR) - MISIR
GAYA NUSANTRA - ENDONEZYA
HELEM - LÜBNAN
Association 20 Ans Barakat - New Ways - CEZAYIR
Indonesian Women Association for Justice (APIK) - ENDONEZYA
Institut Pelangi Perempuan - ENDONEZYA
IWRAW-AP - MALEZYA/ULUSLARARASI
Jordanian Women′s Union - ÜRDÜN
LAMBDAISTANBUL LGBTT Dernegi - TÜRKIYE
The Lebanese Council to Resist Violence against Women (LECORVAW) - LÜBNAN
Arab Center for Applied Social Research (MADA al-CARMEL) - FILISTIN
Malaysian AIDS Council - MALEZYA
Meem - LÜBNAN
New Woman Foundation - MISIR
Pilipina Legal Resources Center - FILIPINLER
RACHDA - CEZAYIR
RAHIMA - ENDONEZYA
RESEAU WASSILA - CEZAYIR
Sisters Arabic Forum - YEMEN
Sisters in Islam (SIS) - MALEZYA
VISION - PAKISTAN
Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counseling (WCLAC) - FILISTIN
Women Against Viole nce (WAV) - FILISTIN
Kadinin Insan Haklari – Yeni Çözümler Dernegi - TÜRKIYE
Women′s Aid Organization - MALEZYA
Women′s Health Foundation - ENDONEZYA
ZENID - ÜRDÜN

The charicature on the front page was used courtesy of Carlos Latuff from Brazil.