My name is _____, I am a citizen of____

I write to bring to your urgent attention the imminent risk facing your nationals aboard vessels engaged in a peaceful humanitarian mission under the Global Sumud Flotilla, who are about to sail within the Cyprus search and rescue zone within the next day.

The safe and unimpeded passage of these vessels is protected under international law, including the UNCLOS Treaty. This notice invokes the binding legal obligations of states under international law, including, in particular:

• The European Convention on Human Rights (Articles 2, 3, 5, and 6),  

• The International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Article 6, 7 and 9,

• UNCLOS article 98 and customary international law which casts a duty on states to provide assistance to people in distress everywhere at sea, anchored on the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS, 1974) the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR, 1979), and UNCLOS (1982),

• Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), which casts a duty on the EU on the international scene,  to be guided by the principles of democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law,

• Article 8(2)(b)(xxv) of the Rome Statute which prohibits acts that impede humanitarian relief in conflict zones.

It is recalled that during the recent flotilla mission in April 2026, over 20 boats were unlawfully intercepted by Israel inside Greek territorial/search and rescue area, their passengers were abducted, tortured and unlawfully imprisoned, without receiving assistance from the Greek government in breach of their legal duties and responsibilities. 

At that time, communications were jammed and should a similar situation happen, and communications are jammed again, we emphasise that the coastal authorities are under increased duty to monitor closely its SAR area to ensure that assistance is provided to vessels in distress that are blocked from sending a distress signal.

Cyprus as the coastal authority is under a duty to monitor closely its SAR area to ensure that assistance is provided to vessels in distress, even if the vessels are blocked from sending a distress signal. The precedent of the perpetrator jamming communications, as observed in the Greek SAR zone, places an increased duty on Cyprus as coastal state to be alert to provide lifesaving assistance to the crew even in the absence of a distress signal. There is currently an imminent risk to the lives of your nationals on board these vessels, casting legal duties upon your diplomatic mission to take steps to ensure their safety.

We urgently request that you use your influence, within your diplomatic mandate, to urge the Cypriot government to uphold its international and European legal obligations and to deter any unlawful act of interception or other unlawful intervention against civilian, unarmed humanitarian vessels sailing within the Cypriot SAR zone.

Please accept our sincere regards and appreciation.

Signed,
___