Statementfrom the Network of Laureates of Gwangju Prize for Human Rights (NLG)

World Leaders Must Intervene to Stop HumanitarianCrisis in Gaza and Uphold International Law

We the laureates of the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights are deeplyconcerned by the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the continued Israelioccupation  in the West Bank. Gaza hasbeen bombed more than 6,000 times and at least 17,000 lives, including innocentchildren and babies, have been killed as a result of Israeli retaliation toHamas’ attack on October 7.

Theright to life is the most fundamental value. Without it, there is no democracyworthy of its name. This right is enshrined in the Universal Declaration ofHuman Rights which celebrates its 75th anniversary this December. We themembers of NLG join the United Nations, International Red Cross, and WorldHealth Organization to call for international law to be respected.Indiscriminate bombing on civilian infrastructure, cutting off suppliesincluding for hospitals have resulted in an unprecedented humanitarian crisisin the area – and importantly, risks destabilizing the Middle East region andtriggering wider conflicts between major powers which will have unparalleledpolitical instability and economic consequences. International humanitarian lawis clear on protecting civilians, journalists, aid and health workers inconflict regions – no state should be exempted from this rule.

We the members of NLG call upon world leaders to immediately halt andact quickly to intervene on humanitarian grounds and prevent the crisis fromescalating to a wider conflict with terrible destabilizing consequences.

Lastly,  we are concerned aboutthe ongoing human rights violations, impunity and judicial harassments in theAsia Pacific region. We repeat our expression of solidarity and call attentionto human rights violations committed against our fellow laureates and humanrights defenders: Adilur Rahman Khan (Bangladesh), Council of Iranian TeachersTrade Association (CCITTA), Arnon Nampa (Thailand), Chow Hang Tung (Hong Kong),and human rights defenders Harris Azhar together with Fatia Maulidiyanti(Indonesia) as well as our fellow human rights defenders in Myanmar.

7 December 2023

Network of Laureates of Gwangju Prize forHuman Rights (NLG)

KayRala Xanana Gusmao, W.P.J. Basil Fernando, Korea Association of BereavedFamilies for Democracy, Dandeniya Gamage Jayanthi, Wardah Hafiz, Malalai Joya, IromSharmila Chanu, Lenin Raghuvanshi, Muneer Malik, Min Ko Naing, Sushil Pyakurel,Binayak Sen, 문정현,H.I.J.O.S, Adilur Rahman Khan, Mothers of Khavaran, Latifah Anum Siregar,Bersih, Nguyen Dan Que, Jatupat Boonpattaraksa, Nandana Manatunga, JoannaCarino, Bedjo Untung, Arnon Nampa, Cynthia Maung, Parents Circle Families Forum- Israeli Palestinian Bereaved Families for Peace, Tempo Weekly Magazine, SombathSomphone, Serge Bambara, Dialita Choir, Watchdoc documentary Maker, ChowHang-Tung, The Coordination Council of Iranian Teacher Trade Association