GENEVA

A UN human rights expert on Wednesday urged Israel to guarantee the safety and liberty of activists, journalists, and health workers detained after the attack on vessels from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition in international waters.

"This attack against unarmed civilians on the high seas is yet another violation of international law by Israel," said Irene Khan, the UN special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression.

Israeli helicopters and navy boats attacked the flotilla early Wednesday, with forces boarding the ships and detaining passengers who were taken to Ashdod port.

The flagship vessel, Conscience, carried 92 people, including 16 international journalists from 10 countries. Khan voiced concern for their safety, citing earlier reports of mistreatment of flotilla activists in Israeli detention.

"Israel has an obligation to ensure the rights of all those being arbitrarily detained, including access to healthcare and their rights to be free from torture and ill-treatment," she said. "We call on Israel to grant them immediate access to their legal representatives and consular services."

She stressed the role of journalists on board, noting that more than 252 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the war began. "The courageous efforts of the journalists in Gaza and on the Freedom Flotilla must not be in vain," Khan said.

"Those who were intercepted have the right to free expression and the freedom to express solidarity with the people of Palestine," she added.