WILPF Australia President, Margaret Reynolds, has joined with other prominent Australians to write a letter of support to UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres. Now we invite you to add your name to the letter.

Antonio Guterres
Secretary General of the United Nations
UN Plaza, NEW YORK USA

Dear Sir,

We write in shame that the Australian Government has failed to join over 100 Member states who have signed an Open Letter to you as Secretary General after you were declared persona non grata by the Foreign Minister of Israel.

We want you to know that the Australian Government’s failure to demonstrate its commitment to your position does not reflect the views of a majority of Australians who value and respect your role and the work of the United Nations to strengthen global understanding and cooperation.

We are distressed that the repeated violations of international law by the government of Israel and its military in Gaza, the Occupied Territories  and Lebanon have not been denounced by the Australian Government and some other states.

We welcome the initiative of Chile and all those nations which have clearly articulated their support for you, and we regret that the Australian Government has failed to join them at a time when it is so important for nations to uphold the essential role of the United Nations in advocating for international law to build global peace and security.

Furthermore, we are deeply disturbed that five members of United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon have been injured and we will be urging our government to condemn this breach of international law.

Thank you for your continued efforts to provide humanitarian support and a negotiated ceasefire.

Your sincerely,

Alison Bronowski, AM Former Diplomat, Academic  and Author

Greg Barns SC. Barrister and President Australian Lawyers Alliance

Paul Heyward Smith  SC,

Ali Kazak , Former Ambassador for Palestine

Mary Kostakides, International Journalist

Sawsan Madina, Former Head of Special Broadcasting Service ( Television )

John Menadue, Editor Pearls and Irritations

Stuart Rees , Professor ,Sydney Peace Centre .

Margaret Reynolds AC, Former Australian Senator