Advocating for Justice: Letter to Amal Clooney

Dear Amal Clooney,

As a globally recognized international lawyer and human rights activist, you have established yourself in the legal world with your extensive work in international and criminal law, including appearances in the International Criminal Court. Your role as a former visiting faculty at Columbia Law School further highlights your commitment to education in these fields. Beyond your legal acumen, you are widely known for your marriage to actor George Clooney and your impactful use of this platform to advocate for human rights issues worldwide.

I am reaching out to you today because of my firm belief in your commitment to human rights and justice. With profound respect for your unwavering advocacy for the Yazidi people and your groundbreaking legal actions against Lafarge S.A.The recent events of October 7, involving the brutal treatment of Jewish women, have left many in shock and dismay. Despite the overwhelming evidence and the severity of these atrocities, there has been a disheartening silence from many within the global human rights community.

Your fearless voice has been a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for many around the world. That is why I am writing to you now, with the faith that, though you have not yet spoken up about this particular issue, you understand in your heart the gravity of what has transpired.

By speaking out unequivocally against the violence and injustice faced by these women, you have the power to shed light on these atrocities. Your stance could serve as a powerful catalyst, inspiring others to also stand up and acknowledge the wrongs that have been committed.

I will now introduce two of the victims of October 7. Their harrowing experiences are indicative of the profound brutality and human rights abuses that transpired. Emblematic of the atrocities faced by hundreds of other women October 7.

While the exact circumstances of Shani Louk’s death remain unclear, an eyewitness account from the festival provides a harrowing description of her final moments. Roni Roman, who attended the festival, recounted on the German political talk show Hart Aber Fair (“Hard But Fair”): “We saw her bleeding. We saw that she had a head injury. We saw these people [Hamas] around her being happy and cheering and singing that she was hurting. And it’s just unbelievable to realize that this was her last moment in this world.” The uncertainty about whether Louk was alive or dead was fueled by a widely circulated social media video, showing Louk’s body, face-down broken legs and half-naked, in a pick-up truck being paraded through Gaza. It has not been confirmed whether Louk died at the festival site or elsewhere.

Equally disturbing is the plight of Naama Levy, a 19-year-old peace activist. As reported in [The Free Press](https://www.thefp.com/p/the-woman-in-the-hamas-video-is-my-daughter), a harrowing video released by Hamas showed Naama being dragged by her hair into the back of a truck, her gray sweatpants covered in blood, and her ankles visibly cut. Her mother describes the ongoing agony of Naama’s captivity as “an eternity in hell.”

The situation regarding hostages still held in Gaza following the events of October 7 is deeply troubling. Reports suggest that certain hostages, specifically women, were not released as initially agreed upon in the hostage deal. This decision by Hamas reportedly stems from concerns that these women, if released, might reveal the extent of the abuse they endured. It’s feared that these women are likely subjected to ongoing sexual assault while still in captivity.

Among the hostages taken to Gaza during Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, a significant number, aged between 12 to 48, were subjected to horrifying ordeals. According to a medical specialist, many of these 30 hostages suffered sexual assault during their captivity. To manage the hostages and keep them docile, they were reportedly drugged, adding another layer of cruelty to their already traumatic experience. This systematic approach to control the hostages involved not only physical abuse but also psychological torment, marking a deeply troubling aspect of the ordeal they endured.

This ongoing crisis highlights a grave human rights violation and raises significant concerns about the safety and well-being of these women. The lack of widespread public outcry and demonstrations demanding their release is both baffling and deeply concerning. The situation calls for urgent attention and action from the global community, human rights organizations, and individuals dedicated to justice and equality. It is imperative that efforts be intensified to secure their release and to bring attention to their plight. The thought of these women enduring such suffering without a strong international response to secure their freedom is a stark reminder of the challenges still faced in the fight for human rights and gender equality.

The silence of those who vocally advocated for the girls released from Boko Haram, yet remain silent now on the issue of the women affected by the Hamas attacks, highlights a striking hypocrisy in the global response to human rights abuses.

The lack of any response from the global human rights community, especially given the victims’ Jewish identity, is deeply concerning. This silence reflects a worrying inconsistency in human rights advocacy.
In situations like these, where political narratives often overshadow the universal principles of human rights, your voice can help realign the focus on the victims and their need for justice and support. The situation involving the Jewish women on October 7, and the broader international response, reflects a concerning inconsistency in the global narrative around human rights abuses. If we were to replace the word “Jewish” with “Yazidi” in the context of these abuses, the global outcry and response might be significantly different. This contrast highlights a worrying double standard in the international community’s approach to human rights violations, where political narratives can overshadow the universal principle of human rights.

The lack of response or delayed reaction to the atrocities committed against Jewish women on October 7 due to political biases is not only morally wrong but also undermines the credibility and effectiveness of human rights advocacy and activists. This selective approach to human rights issues based on political narratives can have far-reaching consequences.

I for one have lost trust in international human rights organizations and activists . When these organizations and people appear to be influenced by political considerations, their impartiality and commitment to universal human rights principles are called into question. This erosion of trust will certainly diminish their influence and effectiveness in advocating for and protecting human rights globally.

Secondly, this inconsistency sets a dangerous precedent. It implies that the severity and recognition of human rights abuses can be dependent on the victims’ identity or the perpetrators’ political affiliations. This undermines the very foundation of human rights, which are supposed to be universal and inalienable, regardless of race, religion, or political context.

Furthermore, failing to address such atrocities equitably can lead to increased polarization and conflict. It sends a message that some groups’ suffering is more worthy of attention and action than others, which can exacerbate tensions and deepen divides.

Ultimately, the international community’s failure to adequately respond to the suffering of Jewish women on October 7, while more readily acknowledging similar abuses against other groups, reveals a selective approach to human rights that is both unjust and unsustainable. It calls for a re-evaluation of how human rights are advocated for and defended, emphasizing the need for a consistent, unbiased approach that upholds the dignity and rights of all individuals, irrespective of their background or the political context.

The time to act is now. It is not too late to make a difference, to stand in solidarity with those who have suffered, and to reaffirm the commitment to the principles of human rights that transcend political and cultural divides. Your influence and leadership in this matter could be pivotal,

I sincerely hope you will consider this plea and use your esteemed position to advocate for the rights and dignity of all victims of human rights abuses, irrespective of their background or the political context of their suffering.

Your voice and influence are critically needed. The atrocities committed must not be overshadowed, and the victims deserve justice and support. Women’s rights organizations must make a strong statement now. A decisive response can still impact, helping to bring attention to these injustices and be a step towards healing and justice.

Your leadership could be pivotal in bringing about justice for these women and restoring faith in the global human rights movement. I sincerely hope you will use your esteemed position to advocate for the rights and dignity of all victims of human rights abuses, irrespective of their background or the political context of their suffering.

With the highest regard and hope for your support,
Linda Sadacka