The sit-in continues, and as no response has yet been received from the Ministry of Transport, a group of prominent international lawyers from various countries have written a letter to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu. The letter addresses the legal injustice faced by the ship and calls for the issue to be resolved.
The letter emphasized that there is no technical, legal, or procedural issue preventing the Vicdan Ship from departing, yet the departure documents have not been issued, which is deemed unlawful. It also highlighted that rectifying this mistake is important for the future of civil society efforts.
Furthermore, the letter stated that the detention of the ship would amount to sabotaging a humanitarian mission, warning that this could damage Turkey's international reputation and result in legal liability.
The letter, signed by international law professors and 19 lawyers from the Palestinian Bar Association, concluded with the following statements:
“The ongoing obstacles and delays in the navigation and mission of the Vicdan Ship constitute an unlawful act of detention and obstruction, violating Turkey's obligations under international law. This situation also places Turkey in a position that damages its global reputation regarding law, justice, and its support for the Palestinians in Gaza, who are facing genocide. Allowing the Vicdan Ship to proceed would reaffirm Turkey's commitment to these principles and to the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Conversely, blocking the ship sends a message that aligns Turkey with those who seek to undermine these commitments and international efforts against serious injustices. Swift action to permit the departure of the Vicdan Ship would prevent potential legal and reputational losses for Turkey and once again confirm its unwavering commitment to justice, morality, human rights, and the rule of law.
We respectfully request that you respond favorably to this letter and offer any assistance or guidance that could facilitate the swift issuance of the departure permit for the Vicdan Ship.
Sincerely,"