The Global Sumud Parliamentary Congress brought together different political leaders to advocate for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Present in the Congress were UN Special Rapporteurs and political leaders from all over the world.
Global Sumud Parliamentary Congress makes a declaration regarding Gaza
Various political leaders have gathered in Brussels, Belgium, to advocate for peace and the ending of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Global Sumud Parliamentary Congress aims to break the silence regarding the situation in Gaza and call for a solution in the region.
🚨 Global Sumud Parliamentary Congress is NOW LIVE
A parliamentary congress is happening right now in Brussels, with parliamentarians, ministers, and diplomats from across continents to forge an international coalition to establish a UN-verified humanitarian maritime corridor…
— Global Sumud Flotilla (@gbsumudflotilla) April 22, 2026
The gathering brought diplomats, parliamentarians, government officials, public figures, and even UN special rapporteurs together. These individuals came from different continents across the world.
These individuals are calling for state intervention in the conflict in Gaza as they cite international law concerns. Participants of the Congress made a declaration regarding the situation in Gaza.
The Congress named the adopted document the “Brussels Declaration on State Responsibility and the Realization of Palestinian Self-Determination.” The declaration outlines the legal and political situation in Gaza as well as the situation of the occupied territories.
Moreover, the Congress highlighted in the declaration that the situation in Gaza is a direct challenge to the integrity of international law. The Congress warns that inaction by states is simply a failure to uphold international regulations.
Some UN Special Rapporteurs are also present at the Congress. They provided factual groundwork and independent assessments on the situation in Gaza.
“Civil society brings mobilisation, it brings strategic litigation, it brings nonviolent direct action, as the Flotilla is proving in reality today, and it brings mass mobilisation in different shapes and forms,” said Fabien Rondal from Greenpeace at the Congress.
Flotilla continues mission to Gaza as Congress holds in Brussels
The Global Sumud Flotilla is still on its mission to Gaza as the Congress in Brussels continues. The mission aims to take humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge the Israeli blockade of aid to the region.
According to the real-time flotilla tracker, as of April 22 (16:24 UTC), the flotilla is off the coast of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea. Organizers expect more vessels to join the flotilla at this point, with more expected to join in France and Greece.
The flotilla departed from Barcelona after a weather event initially delayed the departure. Greenpeace’s Arctic Sunrise is also part of the fleet, providing technical support to the boats.
However, while rumours of sexual misconduct initially rocked the fleet, organisers have dispelled rumours of any wrongdoing. Organisers also launched an investigation into the issue.
While on the Mediterranean, the flotilla briefly diverted a cargo ship headed for Israel. The cargo ship was the MSC Maya, which was allegedly carrying military equipment to Israel.