Swedish Representatives to File UN Complaint Over Alleged Mistreatment of Activists in Israel

Swedish representatives and legal counsel are preparing to file a formal complaint with the United Nations against Israel, alleging severe human rights violations and mistreatment of Swedish activists detained in Israeli custody, including prominent activist Greta Thunberg. According to Sena Eliküçük, the legal representative for the detained activists, witnesses have reported that Thunberg was forcibly humiliated by being pulled by her hair and made to kiss the Israeli flag. This treatment reportedly took place in Ketziot prison, where other Swedish activists are also held.

Eliküçük has gathered testimonies, including from Turkish journalist Ersin Celik, who was part of the Gaza convoy and witnessed the alleged abuse firsthand. Reports indicate that beyond humiliation, several activists, including Swedish Parliament member Lorena Delgado Varas, have been denied medication and basic necessities such as food and clean water. The Swedish Foreign Ministry has urged Israeli authorities to ensure the detainees receive proper medical care; Thunberg herself has suffered from skin rashes suspected to be caused by bedbugs.

Advocate Suhad Bishara has also spoken out about the poor treatment conditions in Ketziot prison, specifically highlighting that Greta Thunberg is not being treated well. Despite these severe allegations, Eliküçük has criticized Swedish authorities for a lack of cooperation and insufficient information sharing about the detained citizens, stressing the importance of officially reporting human rights abuses in Israeli custody.

Eliküçük has expressed her intention to bring these concerns to relevant United Nations agencies and has not ruled out pursuing a collective complaint to the International Criminal Court (ICC). This coordinated effort reflects deep concerns over violations of international law protecting activists and signals an escalating diplomatic and human rights dispute between Sweden and Israel.