NZ government called on to uphold international law by condemning the US attack on Venezuela – Matt Robson
Immediate Release
Source: Hon Matthew Robson, Barrister MA (Hons) LLB (Hons)
Former NZ Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control calls on NZ government to uphold international law by condemning the US attack on Venezuela and the kidnapping of its President.
Parliament should be recalled to vote on condemnation of this act of war with sanctions to be placed on the US 05 January 2026 Auckland New Zealand – “New Zealand is a minnow in terms of economic or military strength in the world. But it earned worldwide respect for its morality in defying the US and upholding the UN Charter and international law when it condemned the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.
“In doing so it was defending the international rule of law not the rule of might ”, said former Associate Foreign Minister in the Helen Clark government, the Hon Matt Robson.
“Now, following on the craven decision of New Zealand to win Washington’s blessings by not opposing the US and Israeli genocide in Gaza and the West Bank and not voting for a Palestinian State , the New Zealand government by noy condemning the US invasion of Venezuela and seizing its President, is complicit in the ripping up of the UN Charter by the Trump administration ” continued the former Minister.
“The NZ government has stripped New Zealand’s credibility to any claim to adherence to international law and the UN Charter by its cowardice in not demanding the release of President Maduro and his wife and an end to the US aggression and the crippling sanctions and illegal seizure of Venezuelan oil.“
“The US ambassador needs to be summonsed and the illegality of the US aggression to be conveyed to the US administration in the strongest terms”.
“It is now over to opposition parties in New Zealand and any coalition MPs with a shred of decency to demand an urgent sitting of Parliament with 4 items on the agenda to vote on:
- The call for a special sitting of the UN General Assembly to discuss sanctions on the US for its aggression against Venezuela.
- For NZ to unequivocally condemn the US aggression.
- To call for the immediate release of President Maduro and his wife.
- For sanctions to be placed on the US by New Zealand until it ends its aggression.
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Contact Information
- Name: Hon Matthew Robson
- Title: Former NZ Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control
- Phone: +6421909936
- Email: matt@mattrobson.co.nz
Faith and Religion – Religious Freedom Violation and Intolerance Spark International Controversy amongst multiple Religious Groups within South Korea
South Korean local government cancels international event with 30,000 participants from 78 countries, causing international damage.
On October 29th, an administrative decision by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, a South Korean government agency sparked international controversy, raising concerns about religious freedom and causing substantial financial loss.
The “Religious Leaders Forum and 110,000 Graduation Ceremony,” a joint initiative by two prominent religious organizations, was set to take place in Paju, South Korea. The event, hosted by the Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and Shincheonji Church of Jesus, was expected to draw over 30,000 participants from 57 countries, including 1,000 religious leaders representing Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism.
However, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, a public entity under the Gyeonggi Province, abruptly cancelled the venue rental without prior notice.
The Shincheonji Church of Jesus states: “This last-minute decision has resulted in significant financial damage to the event, as well as all organizers and parties involved.”
Organizers of this event stated that the cancellation commits an unconstitutional act of discrimination against a specific religion, violating religious freedom, human rights, and due process of law.
The hosting organizations, the Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and Shincheonji Church of Jesus, reported that they had received official confirmation on October 23rd and 28th that there was no plan of cancellation. They also report that the unilateral cancellation was an unreasonable administrative action targeting a specific religious group – other events scheduled for the same day were not affected, and that the cancellation was an “administrative decision caused by opposition from a specific religious group,” which “violates the principle of separation of church and state guaranteed by the [South Korean] Constitution.”
The Gyeonggi Tourism Organization cited security concerns related to recent North Korean actions, and the planned activities of a North Korean defector group as reasons for the cancellation. However, it was pointed out that other events, such as civilian bike rides and foreign tourist visits to the DMZ, were still permitted within the same designated area.
The incident has reignited international debate about religious freedom and tolerance in South Korea. The U.S. State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report has previously highlighted concerns such as the prosecution of Shincheonji Church of Jesus and the government’s refusal to approve mosque construction.
The Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and Shincheonji Church of Jesus have expressed frustrations and call upon the South Korean government to respect religious freedom, uphold human rights, and to rectify this decision. They also urge international organizations to monitor this situation and take appropriate action to protect religious freedom.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus’ position on the abrupt cancellation of the Imjingak Peace Nuri Hall for their 110,000 Graduation
Shincheonji Church of Jesus are in the face of legal pressure, following the sudden cancellation and banning of the use of their venue of choice for their annual graduation ceremony for their theology school, Zion Christian Mission Centre.
Shincheonji allege that Gyeonggi Tourism Organization have committed unconstitutional acts of the sudden blockage of their event, on the premise of religious oppression.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus had rented the Imjingak Peace Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province from October 29 to 31 to hold a Religious Leaders Forum and their 110,000 Graduation Ceremony on the 30th. Tens of thousands of graduates and religious leaders from both Korea and abroad had already entered the country and completed all preparations to participate in the event. Shincheonji had already spent hundreds of billions of won to conduct the event at this scale. However, on the morning of the 29th, it was reported the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization unilaterally cancelled the rental without consultation or notice to the other parties involved.
Frustrations from Shincheonji come from reports that all administrative procedures for the procession of the Religious Leaders Forum and the Graduation Ceremony were of legal nature and in constant cooperation with the Gyeonggi Tourism Organisation – both parties received an approval notice as early as July 22, rental fee from Shincheonji being paid in full on October 2 and on October 16, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization gave final reviews of all the details of the event, undergoing extensive safety inspections. In particular, on the same day, there was news that Gyeonggi Province had designated the entire Paju City as a danger zone, but under the guise to block the distribution of leaflets to North Korea. Furthermore, on October 23 and 28, figures from the tourism organisation confirmed twice that “there are no plans to cancel the venue booking.”
The Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon had ordered the cancellation of the venue, due to the reason of “provoking North Korea.”
Shincheonji and many others allege that large-scale events that had taken place at Imjingak Peace Nuri had never brought forth any unwanted attention from the nation’s direct opposition. Speculations arose that it was due to the targeting of a specific religious group from the local government.
Knowing that this stemmed from such and that it also defies many aspects of the Korean constitution, it has caused much outcry from those both in and outside of Shincheonji.
Shincheonji are looking to take all possible legal means to resolve the issue if the events proceed in a way where the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization fail to take responsibility, or fail to settle the matter civilly.
Street protests from members within Shincheonji are also being considered.
Shincheonji are also asking for an official public apology from their former event partners, and to put a halt to religious discrimination against them and others.
Freedom of religion has been stressed heavily, with Shincheonji officials stating “freedom of religion is not a subject of negotiation” in order for them and their congregation to exercise their faith without discrimination.
PODCAST PROMO: State of Israel Goes Rogue – Attacks UN Peacekeepers – Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning
A View from Afar – In this episode of A View From Afar political scientist Paul Buchanan and host Selwyn Manning analyse how the state of Israel has gone rogue, attacking United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. At this juncture it is clear this is an intentional attack.
Over the past week Israel Defense Force troops have repeatedly attacked UN peacekeepers who were authorised and deployed to the region by the United Nations Security Council.
Also last week; the Government of Israel issued a statement notifying the United Nations Secretary General that he was now banned from Israel and was persona non grata. Within a day of that statement, IDF troops had fired on UN peacekeeping positions in Southern Lebanon.
Since then, the IDF has continued operations that threaten the UN’s presence. And Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has now issued a directive to the UN peacekeeping force to withdraw from the area north of its borders in Southern Lebanon.
Also, despite the United States Biden Administration cautioning Israel on its attacks on UN personnel, overnight New Zealand time, the United States has deployed 100 US troops on the ground in Israel to operate missile defence systems.
In this podcast, Paul and Selwyn consider:
- Why Israel has begun to attack United Nations peacekeepers in the region?
- Why has the United States deepened its involvement in Israel’s so-called defence?
- What of Hezbollah, Hamas; are their attacks on Israel a defence or an attacking offensive?
- What of Iran, what is its position and will it engage in a full-scale war with Israel and what are the consequences should it do so?
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Sovtech AU Launches in New Zealand, Working with Cure Kids to Deliver Cybersecurity Solutions with a Social Impact
Auckland, New Zealand — Sovtech, a leading Australian cybersecurity firm, is proud to announce its official launch in New Zealand this October, marking a new chapter in its expansion across the Tasman.
Known for its innovative ‘profit for purpose’ business model, Sovtech combines cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions with a strong social mission, including partnerships with significant causes such as Cure Kids – a leading charity dedicated to improving child health in New Zealand.
As part of the New Zealand launch, Sovtech’s Founder and Director, Neil Templeman, will be visiting Auckland on 15 and 16 October to meet with clients, partners, and government officials. Templeman brings a personal connection to New Zealand, having lived here for seven years. His goal is to establish a local presence, creating new jobs and building a robust team to serve New Zealand businesses.
“Launching in New Zealand has been driven by strong demand from customers and our partners. We see a great opportunity to help businesses here enhance their cybersecurity posture while making a positive social impact and we have recently signed our first contract in NZ with a large enterprise customer,” says Templeman.
Sovtech’s unique approach to cybersecurity sets it apart from other providers. The company offers services such as advanced email security, data protection and third-party risk management, but with a difference – profits are reinvested into causes that matter. In Australia, Sovtech has supported First Nations health and education initiatives, and with its New Zealand expansion, it has chosen to align with Cure Kids, a charity focused on funding medical research to improve the health of children.
Cure Kids is enthusiastic about this collaboration. Brendon Pongia, Head of Engagement, commented, “We are excited to have the support of Sovtech, an organisation with a strong social mission and a shared commitment to improving the health of children in New Zealand.”
By launching in New Zealand, Sovtech aims to create a lasting social impact while providing the country’s businesses with industry-leading cybersecurity solutions. Its goal is to offer both private and public sector organisations the tools they need to improve their cyber resilience, while simultaneously contributing to a broader societal mission.
“We believe technology should be a force for good, creating ripple effects that transcend borders and generations,” adds Templeman. “With our Procurement for Purpose model, New Zealand businesses have a unique opportunity to strengthen their security while driving meaningful change.”
Sovtech’s launch in New Zealand is more than just business – it’s about community, sustainability, and making a difference where it counts.
Media Contact: Neil Templeman
Founder & Director, Sovtech
Neil_templeman@sovtechnz.com
T: 00 61 419 172 445
www.sovtechnz.com
Neil Templeman will be available for interviews during his visit to New Zealand on 15-16 October. To schedule a meeting or interview, please contact him directly at the number above.
About Sovtech:
Sovtech is a cybersecurity provider offering comprehensive solutions to help businesses safeguard against modern threats. Their profit for purpose model reinvests profits into social causes, aligning technology with positive global change. https://sovtech.com.au/
About Cure Kids:
Cure Kids is New Zealand’s largest charitable funder of child health research committed to finding better treatments and preventative strategies for a wide range of serious child health conditions. Cure Kids has invested more than $65 million in New Zealand research since it formed over 50 years ago, which has helped to shape and vastly improve the way children who live with serious diseases and health conditions are diagnosed and treated. Cure Kids is currently funding around $8 million in child health research across 60+ projects. Red Nose Day is their biggest annual fundraising campaign and makes a significant contribution to this work. For more information visit: www.curekids.org.nz
PODCAST – When All the World’s Failings End in Gaza
PODCAST: In this the tenth episode of A View from Afar for 2023 political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan and journalist/analyst Selwyn Manning examine the current Israel-Palestine Atrocities.
As we prepared for this podcast, representatives of Arab states have presented a united front at the United Nations, criticising the UN Security Council of doing nothing to protect civilians from Israeli bombing and missile attacks on Gazan civilians and locations.
Since then, the UN Security Council has considered two resolutions, the latter calling for a pause in hostilities to allow a humanitarian effort to enter Gaza to assist civilians.
The United States vetoed that Security Council resolution.
Al Jazeera has detailed that Israel forces have targeted and bombed civilian facilities include Hospitals, schools, residential areas resulting in the deaths of thousands of people, civilians, – around one-third of the deaths are children.
It remains contested by all sides in this conflict as to who, or what, is responsible for the deadly attack on Gaza Hospital, resulting in the deaths of over 471 people.
Additional to this, Israel has sealed the borders of Gaza while it prevents food, water and medical supplies from reaching civilians – in breach of international law requirements and laws of conflict.
Israel ordered Gazan civilians, who wish to get to safety, to get out of North Gaza and move toward the south, to the border with Egypt. But as people fled south toward what appeared to be safety, Israel bombed the southern Gaza region killing more civilians and sealing off that corridor for others who sought refuge.
As a consequence of the bombing, Egypt responded by sealing the Gaza-Egypt border.
Humanitarian aid now sits on trucks, waiting, on the Egypt side of the border, while United Nations officials implore Israel and Egypt to allow medical supplies, food and water to get through to those who are injured and dying.
The Israel Defence Force strikes followed a surprise-attack on Israeli citizens by soldiers operating under the Hamas banner.
Civilians were slaughtered and others taken hostage, only to be used as bargaining chips and leverage against their enemies.
Even Palestinian advocacy groups like the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa suggested that breaches of international humanitarian Law, crimes against civilians, have been committed by those Hamas-aligned fighters. But they are clear, as others are too, that crimes against humanity, war crimes, have been committed by Israel, without consequence, as we all give witness to its response which is disproportionate, brutal, and disregarding of the thousands of Palestinian lives that have already been taken.
That’s the current situation. It is likely to get much worse.
In this episode, our questions will include:
What are the world’s leaders doing to stop the carnage?
Are the world’s nations being drawn into what will be an ever-expanding war?
Are we witnessing the beginning of a war where on one side authoritarian-led states like Russia, Iran, the wider Arab states, and possibly China stand unified against the United States, Britain, Germany, and other so-called liberal democratic allies representing the old world order?
Is what we are witnessing, what happens when a global rules-based order, multilateralism and institutions like the United Nations no longer have influence to prevent war, or restore peace and stability, or assert principles of international justice and enforce the rights of victims to see recourse to the law?
Why has this slaughter become an opportunity for the US and Russia to square-off against each other at the UN Security Council – a body that was once designed to advocate and achieve peace, but has now become a geopolitically divided entity of stalemate and mediocrity?
Eventually, will humanitarianism prevail? Will the world recognise that all people, the elderly, women, children, people of all ethnicities and religions, that they all bleed and die irrespective of their state of origin, when leaders of all sides, while sitting back in their bunkers, unleash weapons designed to kill as many people as is possible?
In this episode, Paul and Selwyn examine this most grave situation from a geopolitical vantage point. It may appear as dispassionate, and as so even disturbing, but we will take this approach in an attempt to aide an understanding of why this is happening in Gaza and why it is happening now.
INTERACTION WHILE LIVE:
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PODCAST: How and Why Democracy is Backsliding Around the World – Buchanan and Manning
A View from Afar – In this the seventh episode of A View from Afar podcast for 2023 political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning examine the strengths and weaknesses of democracy around the world.
In particular Paul and Selwyn consider how and why democracy in many countries around the world is on the slide.
They examine the causes of democratic backsliding and also test why the erosion of high democratic ideas have, in many cases, popular support.
First, Paul gives us a context and defines democratic backsliding.
He identifies the countries that are decisively eroding their own democracies of principles that were once embraced by both power elites and citizenry.
The Questions:
• Why are we seeing more democratic backsliding in recent times?
• Is it just a political phenomenon or does it extend beyond the political sphere?
• Where has democratic backsliding been most evident?
• What do Chile, Guatemala, Israel and Thailand have in common?
INTERACTION WHILE LIVE:
Paul and Selwyn encourage their live audience to interact while they are live with questions and comments. To interact during live recordings of A View from Afar podcasts, go to YouTube Remember to subscribe to the channel and be notified of future episodes.
For the on-demand audience, you can also keep the conversation going by clicking on one of the social media channels below:
- YouTube
- Facebook.com/selwyn.manning
- Twitter.com/Selwyn_Manning
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Participants in this podcast can be contacted via email below:
- Dr Paul G. Buchanan: email Paul@36th-Parallel.com
- Selwyn Manning: email Selwyn@milnz.nz
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RECOGNITION:
The MIL Network’s podcast A View from Afar was Nominated as a Top Defence Security Podcast by Threat.Technology – a London-based cyber security news publication.
Threat.Technology placed A View from Afar at 9th in its 20 Best Defence Security Podcasts of 2021 category.
ENDS