Oxfam Australia welcomes the Australian Government’s strong response to the state of Israel’s decision to close its investigation into the killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and her World Central Kitchen colleagues. Aid workers must be protected, and when they are killed, there must be a credible, independent process to establish accountability.
Oxfam Australia Chief Executive Jennifer Tierney said accountability for the killing of Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues was essential, and that humanitarian workers must be protected under international law.
“Zomi Frankcom was killed while doing what humanitarian workers do every day: delivering lifesaving assistance to people caught in conflict.
“The decision not to pursue criminal proceedings, despite acknowledged failures in procedures, identification and decision-making, raises profound concerns about accountability and the protection of humanitarian workers.
“Humanitarian workers cannot be treated as acceptable casualties of war. International
humanitarian law exists to protect civilians and aid workers, and those rules must mean something in practice.
“The Australian Government is right to demand accountability for Zomi and her colleagues. We urge Australia to continue pressing for a credible and independent process that can deliver answers and justice for Zomi’s family.
“The killing of humanitarian workers must never become normalised. Governments must do everything in their power to ensure aid workers can safely reach people who desperately need help.”
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