ALMOST two dozen people gathered peacefully in front of the US Embassy in Bratislava on August 7 to protest the armed conflict in the Gaza Strip, the TASR newswire reported.
The protest was convened as part of a global call from Amnesty International (AI), which is organising similar demonstrations around the world.
The protesters urge the US government, one of the biggest arms exporters, to stop its sales and exports of arms to Israel and help impose a UN arms embargo on all sides embroiled in the military conflict in Gaza. The call was read in front of the US Embassy by AI’s Slovak branch director, Jana Malovičová.
On Hviezdoslavovo Square, protesters lit candles, after which they symbolically threw flowers into the Danube River to commemorate the victims of the conflict. AI has already issued a statement in which it voices concern and outrage over the rapidly worsening situation in Gaza and Israel.
“Weapon transfers need to be suspended for as long as there is a risk that such devices or technologies might be used for perpetrating serious violations of international law and human rights,” said Malovičová, as quoted by TASR.
Some 1,800 Palestinians, including 300 children, as well as 64 Israeli soldiers and three Israeli civilians have died in the Gaza Strip since the conflict erupted a month ago.
Source: TASR
Compiled by Michaela Terenzani from press reports.
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information
presented in its Flash News postings.
