THE HAGUE GROUP: 'ENDING THE ERA OF IMPUNITY'.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro with UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.

Journalist Abby Martin with Jeremy Corbyn.

This week saw more than thirty countries meet to finalise a set of measures aimed at confronting Israel's genocidal assault on Gaza. Despite receiving several invitations to attend the conference, the New Zealand Government failed to make an appearance. 

MORE THAN thirty countries gathered in Bogotá on July 15 and 16 for an emergency ministerial conference of The Hague Group. This alliance was first convened in the Dutch city earlier this year to confront Israel's violations of international law in Gaza and in the West Bank. Under the joint leadership of Colombia and South Africa, foreign ministers and senior diplomats met in Colombia’s capital to finalise a set of binding domestic measures aimed at hastening an end to Israel’s genocidal military campaign in Gaza.

Among those in attendance were Algeria, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, China, Cuba, Djibouti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Namibia, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Qatar, Slovenia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Spain, Turkey, Uruguay, and Venezuela. 

In his opening address, Colombian President Gustavo Petro framed the summit as ' turning point in the history of multilateral justice,' declaring that delegates had come 'to end the era of impunity.' He thanked his South African counterparts for co-chairing what he described as 'a gathering of states of conscience.' South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola echoed that message: 'This is a collective affirmation that no state is above the law,' he said, adding that the coalition would 'translate legal principles into forceful, enforceable action.'

Over the two days, delegates worked through a draft communiqué that centred on six immediate steps. First, states will prohibit the sale or transfer of arms, munitions, military fuel, related equipment and dual-use items to Israel. Second, they will forbid ports within their jurisdiction from servicing or refuelling vessels carrying such cargo if it is destined for Israeli military use. Third, flagged vessels found in breach of these rules face de-flagging and sanctions. Fourth, governments agreed to undertake urgent reviews of all public procurement contracts to ensure no taxpayer funds support operations linked to the occupation. Fifth, they committed to launch independent investigations—and where warranted, prosecutions—of individuals suspected of war crimes or crimes against humanity, in line with obligations under the International Criminal Court. Sixth, they pledged to enshrine universal jurisdiction provisions in national law, empowering domestic courts to hear cases concerning alleged crimes committed in Gaza.

Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla, the group’s executive secretary, described these measures as 'the dawn of collective state protagonism'. She warned that any nation failing to comply by the deadline of September 20—coinciding with the opening of the UN General Assembly—would face concerted diplomatic pressure and potential trade repercussions from coalition partners.

Several high-profile voices underscored both the urgency and the political weight of the meeting. Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, praised the summit as 'the most significant political development in the past twenty months' calling on participants to 'follow through with courage and consistency.' Colombia’s Deputy Minister for Multilateral Affairs, Mauricio Jaramillo, stressed that words had grown hollow amid mounting civilian casualties. 'What matters now is action,' he said, characterising the coalition’s approach as a direct challenge to 'genocidal practices' in Gaza.

Independent journalist and activist Abby Martin, who attended the conference as an observer, said that 'this collective action demonstrates a decisive shift from mere statements to tangible steps. For the first time, a critical mass of states is prepared to use domestic law to enforce international norms.' She added that the group’s insistence on universal jurisdiction 'could mark a watershed in how the world holds powerful actors to account.'

In closing remarks, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, Colombia’s acting foreign affairs minister, urged participants to build on Bogotá’s momentum by actively recruiting additional governments. She emphasised that while the coalition lacked the military might of larger blocs, its power lay in solidarity and the rule of law. 'We are not alone; our strength is in numbers and in moral conviction,' she said.

The absence of New Zealand was noted. The New Zealand Government has repeatedly expressed concern over the situation in Gaza, but has failed to match its concern with action. It has become increasingly evident that the New Zealand Government's stance on Gaza is being dictated by US foreign policy. New Zealand journalist Mick Hall reports:

'When asked why New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters had failed to take up the invitation or send any of his officials, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) spokesperson simply refused to comment.'