Natania Longdong, Jakarta – The conflict between Israel and Hamas and other armed groups over the last three weeks has resulted in civilian causalities.
According to Amnesty International Indonesia, the international community, including the United States, Britain and the European Union, as Israel's closest allies, must become involved in ending the conflict, including calling for a ceasefire as soon as possible.
Amnesty is also urging Israel to end the blockade of humanitarian aid and the Apartheid system that oppresses civilians in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Amnesty made the call during a peaceful demonstration in front of the US Embassy in Central Jakarta on Friday afternoon, October 27. The protest action was joined by a number of different social elements such as human rights activists, students and representatives of civil society organisations.
"The armed conflict between Israel and Hamas groups has resulted in a humanitarian disaster for civilians. Over the last three weeks we have witnessed the horrifying impact of the escalation of this disaster", said Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid during a speech at the action.
"Civilian victim continue to fall, both those who have been killed, injured as well as those who have lost their belongings and homes", continued Hamid.
Former United Nations Special Reporter for Human Rights in North Korea in 2010-2016, Marzuki Darusman, said that peaceful actions are important so that the international community does not sit on its hands and ignore the violence that is happening in the occupied Palestinian territories.
"We want the US and countries throughout the world to immediately take concrete steps to quickly end this violence. What has been happening since October 7 is the culmination of a human rights crisis. There must be a concrete solution to end this crisis", said Darusman.
Earlier, Amnesty International said it had documented evidence of war crimes against civilians committed by Israeli and Hamas troops as well as by other armed groups.
"Serious violations against international humanitarian law, including war crimes, are being committed by all parties in this continuing conflict. In dealing with this destruction and suffering that has never happened before, humanity must win out" said Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard in a written statement.
"Action as soon as possible is needed to protect civilians and prevent the human suffering that is getting worse. We urge all members of the international community to jointly demand a humanitarian ceasefire immediately by all conflicting parties", concluded Callamard.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Gelar Aksi Damai di Kedubes AS, Amnesty Internasional Indonesia Tuntut Hal Ini untuk Palestina".]
