Organise Aotearoa holds protest outside NZDF offices in Auckland against killing of children, sexual abuse, and coverups

Organise Aotearoa, a new socialist organisation is holding a joint protest today with Auckland Peace Action to condemn war crimes, including the killing of children, perpetrated by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) in Afghanistan. The protest is today at 12:30pm outside NZDF offices on Great North Road in Auckland.

A North & South magazine article released yesterday details the NZDF’s involvement in war crimes, and reveals a culture of sexual abuse and homophobia.

“Nicky Hager’s story provides chilling details about a toxic culture and disregard for human life in the NZDF,” says Organise Aotearoa spokesperson Emilie Rākete.

“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 for his war crimes. The disregard for human life clearly extends all the way to the top of the NZDF,” says Rākete.

“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 Rākete.

“Without accountability, these issues will continue the plague the NZDF.”

Organise Aotearoa is encouraging the public to attend the picket to condemn this culture of violence.

ENDS

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