HRF Files Legal Action in Ecuador Against Ecuadorian Citizen who Participated in Assault on Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza

Guayas- Ecuador – The Hind Rajab Foundation, in partnership with the March 30 Movement, has filed a ground-breaking legal complaint with the Ecuadorian authorities. The complaint targets Ecuadorian citizen Sahar Enrique Cohen for his involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Israeli military’s assaults on Gaza. The complaint, submitted to the Criminal Court of Guayas, seeks prosecution under Ecuadorian and international law for Cohen’s participation in systematic attacks on Palestinian civilians and medical facilities.

“We will leave no stone unturned in our quest for justice. The perpetrators of the Gaza genocide, like Sahar Enrique Cohen, will be pursued in every corner of the world. No matter where they hide, they will face prosecution...”

“We will leave no stone unturned in our quest for justice. The perpetrators of the Gaza genocide, like Sahar Enrique Cohen, will be pursued in every corner of the world. No matter where they hide, they will face prosecution. We call on Ecuador to take swift legal action and set a precedent that war crimes will not go unpunished” commented Dyab Abou Jahjah from the Hind Rajab Foundation.

Key Allegations

• Crimes in Gaza: Cohen is accused of taking part in the March 18, 2024, attack on Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, where thousands of civilians sought refuge. The assault led to the deaths of numerous patients, including children and the elderly, due to the destruction of critical medical facilities and the intentional denial of life-saving resources. These actions fall under the definitions of genocide and crimes against humanity according to international law.
• Torture and Persecution: The complaint outlines horrific instances of torture and persecution committed against Palestinian civilians. These acts included physical and psychological abuse, forced nudity, rape, and deprivation of food and water. These were systematic measures designed to eradicate the Palestinian population based on ethnic and national identity.
• Legal Accountability in Ecuador: The Hind Rajab Foundation and the March 30 Movement call on Ecuador to apply Article 14 of the Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code (COIP), which allows the country to prosecute crimes committed beyond its borders if they violate international human rights laws. Cohen’s involvement in these grave violations makes him subject to Ecuadorian jurisdiction.

Global Pursuit of Justice: The Hind Rajab Foundation has pledged to pursue every individual involved in the Gaza genocide to every corner of the world. This complaint is part of a broader global campaign to bring perpetrators of war crimes to justice, regardless of their nationality or location. The foundation is committed to ensuring that no war criminal escapes accountability.