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A group of KC’s, academic lawyers and other senior lawyers has written to the Government urging it to back an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

The group includes 16 King’s Counsel, the dean of a law school, and a former chief human rights commissioner.

The letter says the group is “profoundly concerned” at ongoing violations of international humanitarian law (the law of armed conflict), starting with the Hamas attacks on 7 October and continuing now with Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza.

The group, consisting of 76 members of the legal community, cites “considered” legal observers who note that a genocide may be unfolding in Gaza.

Frances Joychild KC, one of the signatories of the letter, says: “It is time for lawyers to speak out because the whole body of international humanitarian law is being gravely undermined. These laws developed from the learned experiences of the horrors of war and aim to protect innocent civilians. The government has a tradition of taking the lead in upholding and advocating for the strengthening of humanitarian law. Now is the time for it to step up its actions to stop the slaughter and daily atrocities happening in Gaza."

The Government put forward a motion ten days ago supporting “steps towards” a ceasefire and voted for an immediate ceasefire at the United Nations last week. But the letter says the Government must “unequivocally” speak out in favour of an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

Max Harris, a barrister and signatory, says: “What is occurring in Gaza is shocking the conscience of the New Zealand public. A ceasefire is a first step towards ensuring that international law is upheld. The government needs to follow up on its actions in the last fortnight and be crystal clear that it backs an immediate, permanent ceasefire."

The letter was sent late last week to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Foreign Minister Winston Peters, and Minister of Justice Paul Goldsmith.

Read the letter