Organise Aotearoa condemns NZDF culture of abuse
15/10/2018
PRESS RELEASE: Organise Aotearoa
Organise
Aotearoa condemns war crimes, culture of sexual abuse and
coverups in NZDF
A North & South magazine article
released today details the New Zealand Defence Force’s
(NZDF) involvement in war crimes, and reveals a culture of
sexual abuse and homophobia.
Organise Aotearoa, a new
socialist organisation, condemns this behaviour. “Nicky
Hager’s story provides chilling details about a toxic
culture and disregard for human life in the NZDF,” says
Organise Aotearoa spokesperson James Roberts.
“We
are concerned about the war crimes committed by an NZDF
medic in Afghanistan.” The medic, according to Hager’s
reporting, breached the Geneva Conventions by engaging in a
gunfight, killing two children.
“Instead of
court-martialing this Officer, the NZDF awarded him a
bravery medal. The disregard for human life clearly extends
all the way to the top of the NZDF,” says
Roberts.
“Hager’s report also demonstrates a
culture of sexual abuse and homophobia in the NZDF. Toxic
masculinity, male entitlement, and rape culture are clearly
rampant in the NZDF.”
Organise Aotearoa is also
concerned about the NZDF’s alleged attempts to cover up
sexual abuse and war crimes. “It seems the NZDF would
rather just make these issues go away than properly
investigate them,” says Roberts.
“Without
accountability, these issues will continue the plague the
NZDF.”
Organise Aotearoa is encouraging the public
to attend rallies outside NZDF offices to condemn this
culture of violence. A picket will be held outside NZDF
offices on Great North Road in Auckland at 12:30pm on
Tuesday, and in Wellington at William Colenso Square on
Molesworth Street at 4:30pm on Wednesday.
ENDS