Photo and video: Nomadesc president Berenice Celeita (center) with Global Sumud Flotilla members Ledys Sanjuán and Saif Abukeshek in Cali, Colombia, December 2025.
The Association for Social Research and Action (Nomadesc) has posted on social media:
“While the Palestinian people continue to face bombings, forced displacement, hunger, and a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, thousands of people around the world continue to raise their voices to denounce the genocide and demand an end to the violence against Palestine.
On April 30, Thiago Ávila and Saif Abukeshek were arrested during international solidarity actions and human rights advocacy. The Global Sumud Flotilla demands their immediate release and guarantees for those who stand in solidarity with and denounce the situation facing the Palestinian people.
Today, it is urgent to add more voices, break the silence, and continue denouncing the ongoing genocide. Solidarity with Palestine cannot be criminalized.”
Thiago Ávila and Saif Abukeshek
Just prior to the departure of the Flotilla from Spain on April 12, Amnesty International stated: “Israeli authorities must ensure safe passage for these unarmed activists and human rights defenders.”
Greenpeace International also explained: “Hundreds of medics, teachers, and eco-builders, with expertise in healthcare, education, and sustainable rebuilding, are sailing to support the people of Gaza.”
On the night of April 29-30, Israel intercepted 22 boats from the Flotilla in the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea and detained nearly 180 people from multiple countries, including two Canadians.
The Hellenic League for Human Rights (HLHR), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT), within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, denounced this raid against the Flotilla by the Israeli military.
The Associated Press has further reported that Israeli authorities had taken two leaders of the Flotilla – Spanish citizen Saif Abukeshek and Brazilian citizen Thiago Ávila – to Israel for questioning. They are being held in Shikma Prison in Israel.
Arbitrary detention of human rights defenders
On May 7, 2026, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), “was informed by Adalah (The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel) of the abduction, arbitrary detention and acts of ill-treatment against Thiago Ávila e Silva Oliveira and Saif Abukeshek, two human rights defenders involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF).”
The Observatory adds: “Thiago Ávila and Saif Abukeshek reported physical violence, degrading treatment, and being held for prolonged periods in stress positions by Israeli military forces while at sea.”
The Observatory has called on the Israeli authorities to: “Ensure that human rights activists supporting the Palestinian people, as well as all human rights defenders, can carry out their activities freely and without fear of reprisals.”
Accompaniment
Peace Brigades International has accompanied Nomadesc since 2011, and its president Berenice Celeita since 1999.
Photo: PBI-Canada coordinator Brent Patterson with Berenice Celeita, translator Michael Carty, and Rachel Lim from Amnesty International Canada in Ottawa, October 2023.
PBI-Canada is following the Perseverance and her Canadian crew of human rights defenders via the Global Sumud Flotilla tracker here.
We also continue to highlight the concern that export of weapons, components and technology can be linked directly to violations of the safety and security of human rights defenders globally.
