UPDATE: OUR WHĀNAU HAS BEEN DETAINED BY THE IOF.
PLEASE SEND THE EMAILS IN THIS NEW TEMPLATE DOC
CALLING FOR THE RELEASE OF ALL THREE NZ CITIZENS DETAINED:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KrgzvDl-EKSyNb41ipSSUiSDvsvOea4KuUMecCrCKh0
Email templates specific to Samuel remain below.
** EMAILS SPECIFIC TO SAMUEL LEASON ONLY **
** MULTIPLE EMAIL TEMPLATES FOR DIFFERENT MPs + MFAT **
Subject: Urgent Request for Immediate Release and Protection of NZ Citizen Samuel Leason Detained on Global Sumud Flotilla
Kia ora Prime Minister Luxon,
I am writing with deep urgency and concern regarding the detention of New Zealand citizen Samuel Leason. He has been detained while engaged in the delivery of humanitarian aid aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, a mission aimed at alleviating human suffering. His situation requires your immediate and direct intervention at the highest level of government.
In earlier communications, your office advised that you had directly informed Israel of your expectation that New Zealand citizens would be treated in accordance with international law. Now that Israel has detained Samuel against his will in international waters, in clear violation of international law, I ask: What actions will you take in response?
The New Zealand Government has both a moral and legal responsibility to act swiftly to protect its citizens abroad. Samuel’s ongoing detention places him at serious risk and demands urgent intervention. Failing to secure his release would not only endanger his safety and wellbeing but also reflect poorly on New Zealand’s commitment to upholding human rights and the rule of law on the international stage.
I strongly urge you to take every diplomatic step available without delay. This includes engaging directly with international partners, exerting pressure through multilateral forums, and ensuring that the Government of Israel, or any other party responsible, is held accountable for their violations of international law, and will see to the immediate and safe release of Samuel. It is critical that he be protected from any harm and returned to his whānau and community in Aotearoa as quickly as possible.
I trust you understand the seriousness of this matter and will act with urgency and integrity in defence of the rights and safety of these New Zealanders.
Ngā mihi,
[Your Name]
[Optional: Your Electorate]
______________________
TO: W.Peters@ministers.govt.nz
Subject: Immediate and Urgent Action Required to Protect New Zealand Citizen Detained on Global Sumud Flotilla
Kia ora Minister Peters,
I am writing to you with grave concern regarding the wellbeing and immediate safety of New Zealand citizen Samuel Leason. He has been detained by Israeli forces while undertaking the delivery of humanitarian aid in international waters as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla. His detention is unjust, unlawful, and in direct violation of international human rights obligations and humanitarian law.
As Minister of Foreign Affairs, you have a critical responsibility to use every tool at your disposal to protect the rights and safety of New Zealanders abroad. In this case, there is no time for hesitation. I urge you to act immediately and decisively to demand Samuel’s secure release, ensuring that he is protected from harm and returned safely to his family in New Zealand.
Samuel’s detention undermines internationally recognised protections for humanitarian missions and violates fundamental legal principles that safeguard the delivery of humanitarian aid in times of crisis. New Zealand has always stood firmly in support of international law and human rights. I therefore expect that the Government will act consistently with this tradition and with urgency.
Please treat this as a matter of the utmost importance. The lives and safety of New Zealand citizens are on the line, and decisive diplomatic action is required now.
Ngā mihi,
[Your Name]
[Optional: Your Electorate]
______________________
Subject: Urgent Request for Protection and Release of NZ Citizen Samuel Leason Detained on Global Sumud Flotilla
Kia ora,
I am writing to MFAT to urgently request immediate and comprehensive action regarding the safety and secure release of New Zealand citizen Samuel Leason. He is currently detained after participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission in international waters intended to deliver aid to people in desperate need. His detention is unacceptable and must be treated as a matter of the highest priority.
Delivering humanitarian assistance via international waters is an action explicitly protected under international law. The detention of Samuel not only violates his rights as a New Zealand citizen, but also breaches international humanitarian protections and obligations to safeguard those involved in humanitarian work. Samuel’s situation poses a direct risk to his health, safety, and wellbeing, and cannot be ignored or delayed.
I urge MFAT to use all available diplomatic avenues to secure Samuel’s safe release. This includes raising the matter urgently with the Government of Israel and other relevant international actors, engaging with global organisations that uphold humanitarian law, and ensuring that all necessary measures are taken to protect the rights and lives of these New Zealanders.
New Zealand has a duty to protect its citizens overseas, and this duty must be honoured with urgency and determination. Their whānau and communities are depending on decisive action from MFAT, and I trust you will escalate this matter immediately.
Ngā mihi,
[Your Name]
[Optional: Your Electorate]
______________________
Please consider sending this email individually to the following ministers:
Hon Nicola Willis: Nicola.Willis@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Chris Bishop: Chris.Bishop@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Simeon Brown: Simeon.Brown@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Erica Stanford: Erica.Stanford@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Paul Goldsmith: Paul.Goldsmith@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Louise Upston: Louise.Upston@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Judith Collins: Judith.Collins@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Dr Shane Reti: s.reti@ministers.govt.nz
Hon Mark Mitchell: Mark.Mitchell@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Todd McClay: Todd.McClay@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Tama Potaka: Tama.Potaka@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Matt Doocey: Matt.Doocey@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Simon Watts: Simon.Watts@parliament.govt.nz
Hon David Seymour: David.Seymour@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Brooke van Velden: Brooke.Vanvelden@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Nicole McKee: Nicole.McKee@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Shane Jones: Shane.Jones@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Casey Costello: Casey.Costello@parliament.govt.nz
Subject: Urgent Request for Release and Protection of NZ Citizen Samuel Leason Detained by Israel
Kia ora Minister [Surname],
I am writing with utmost urgency and concern regarding the detention of New Zealand citizen Samuel Leason. He has been detained while engaged in the delivery of humanitarian aid aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, a mission aimed at alleviating human suffering. His situation requires your immediate and direct intervention at the highest level of government.
The New Zealand Government has both a moral and legal responsibility to act swiftly to protect its citizens abroad. The ongoing detention of Samuel is in clear violation of international law, including the principles of international humanitarian law and internationally recognised human rights protections. Failing to secure his release would not only endanger his safety and wellbeing but also reflect poorly on New Zealand’s commitment to upholding human rights and the rule of law on the international stage.
As a minister of the Cabinet of New Zealand, I implore you to discuss urgently with your cohort the importance of keeping our New Zealand citizens safe after being illegally detained on international waters, and held illegally as prisoners.
I urge the New Zealand Government to take every diplomatic step available without delay. This includes engaging directly with international partners, exerting pressure through multilateral forums, and ensuring that the Government of Israel, or any other party responsible, is held accountable for their violations of international law, and will see to the immediate and safe release of Samuel. It is critical that he be protected from any harm and returned to his whānau and community in Aotearoa as quickly as possible.
I also ask you to keep your fellow Cabinet ministers accountable, to do everything you can to hold Israel to account for violations of international law committed against our citizens.
I trust you understand the seriousness of this matter and will act with urgency and integrity in defence of the rights and safety of these New Zealanders.
Ngā mihi,
[Your Name]
[Optional: Your Electorate]