Media Statement                                         8 June 2018

NZNO condemns violence on first responders

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) supports the stand taken by international organisations and governments condemning attacks on health personnel in Palestine.

On Friday 1 June 21 year old nurse Razan al-Najar was fatally shot while carrying out her duties as a volunteer in the Palestinian Medic Relief Society. About 245 health care workers and 40 ambulances have been attacked in the region between March 30 and May 27, according to recent reports.

https://www.ochaopt.org/content/un-agencies-deeply-concerned-over-killing-health-volunteer-gaza

We join the international community in calling for international humanitarian laws to be upheld and for attacks on medical personnel to immediately cease. We are calling for highest level international organisations to condemn these acts of violence and targeted attacks on first responders. Nurses, doctors and other health care workers must be protected and have the right to treat people safely even in areas of conflict.

We are concerned also that New Zealanders are part of first responder health care teams in conflict areas around the world and must be able to do their duty to care for those needing urgent health interventions and humanitarian aid without risk of harm or death.

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation is a member of the International Council of Nurses which is a member of the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition. And has previously spoken out against violence and attacks on health professionals in Syria and other nations.

Media enquiries to: Media Adviser, Karen Coltman, 027 431 2617.