Newsletters
The U.N. human rights office voiced concern Friday over the lack of progress in Israel’s investigation into the death of Turkish-American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was shot by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank one year ago.
“This is unfortunately one of the rare cases where Israeli authorities announced an investigation, yet we have not seen any outcome,” spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said in response to questions about Eygi’s case and broader attacks on journalists, human rights defenders and aid workers.
1 min read
Eygi was killed on Sept. 6, 2024, during what Shamdasani described as a peaceful protest against settlement expansion. She said Eygi and other demonstrators posed no threat when they were shot in the head by Israeli security forces. “This raises serious concerns about whether the killing was unlawful,” she said.
Shamdasani stressed that Eygi’s case was not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of violations before and after Oct. 7, 2023. “No genuine investigation results have been made public. Victims are not receiving justice, and this fuels a cycle of impunity,” she added.
The spokesperson also condemned the targeting of journalists in Gaza, noting that Israel has barred international media from entering the enclave. “Those currently on the ground are the eyes and ears of the world,” she said.
Since Oct. 7, 2023, at least 248 journalists, along with human rights defenders and aid workers, have been killed, she said. “This is completely unacceptable and in clear violation of international human rights law.”
Shamdasani reminded that journalists are considered civilians under the Geneva Conventions and said targeting media infrastructure is prohibited unless it directly serves a military purpose.
1 min read
Marking one year since Eygi’s death, Shamdasani urged accountability. “We hold the Israeli government responsible. What has your investigation shown after a year? Will justice be delivered, and will such an incident ever be prevented again?” she asked.
Eygi, a dual national of Türkiye and the United States, was active in solidarity movements supporting Palestinian rights. She was killed on Sept. 6, 2024, when Israeli forces opened fire on demonstrators in the West Bank protesting settlement expansion. Eygi was struck in the head and later died at a Palestinian hospital despite medical efforts.
2 min read
