Time for the PM to walk the kindness talk on terror attack inquiry

Friday, 4 December 2020

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has unveiled a plaque in Christchurch for the victims of the mosque attacks. (Video first published September 24, 2020)

OPINION: This week the Government will release the Royal Commission of Inquiry's report into the Christchurch terror attacks, following the conclusion of a frustrating and flawed process riddled with errors from the get-go.

Prime Minister Jacinda Arden vowed the Inquiry would leave no stone unturned. But, the question many of us are asking is, how are we supposed to hold her Government accountable when much of the process has been in complete secrecy?

The Commission last week stamped 30-year-long suppressions on evidence given by ministers and senior public servants. What was the point of running an inquiry if much of the evidence will be suppressed?

Ardern noted the Commission independently decided on the suppression, while she focused on the development of its terms of reference – which were developed without the consultation of the Muslim community.

* Inquiry into Christchurch mosque shootings continues despite guilty pleas, lockdown

It’s time for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to walk the kindness talk, writes Guled Mire.

* The Detail: Frustration at Royal Commission into Christchurch terror attack

Ardern deflected further questioning about the trust and transparency of the Inquiry when she told Radio New Zealand that debate and discussion should happen after the 800-page report is released.

Royal Commission of Inquiry submission chairman Abdur Razzaq discusses his organisation's findings after spending months investigating the circumstances surrounding the March 15 terror attack.

What the prime minister is perhaps failing to recognise is that the process as it has been run so far isn't reassuring for those of us in the Muslim community, and the victims it was designed to seek closure for.

To see my community be shut out of and excluded from such an important process has been beyond heart-breaking to witness. Ardern is essentially telling us: trust the broken system that's failed you again and again, to get this right for you.

It's not fair to ask this of anyone, let alone those most impacted. But these are the cards we've been dealt. We have no choice but to have trust and faith, and wish for the best possible outcome, but at some point, I hope we can unpack the Inquiry's problematic nature.

What was supposed to be an eight-month investigation instead took 20 months and received numerous extensions along the way. I am at least glad that it hasn't been rushed, because the stakes have never been higher. All eyes are on whether the Commission's report delivers the answers and solutions that so many of us are desperately seeking.

We cannot afford to get this wrong.

Guled Mire says after a lengthy inquiry riddled with issues, it’s now time for the Government to walk the talk.

The scope of the investigation focused on four key issues: what state sector agencies knew about the terrorist and his activities before March 15, 2019, what they did (if anything) with that knowledge, whether it could have been prevented, and what should be done to prevent future attacks.

In relation to the first three issues, the Government must ensure there are clear lines of accountability across agency and portfolio jurisdictions in responding to the report’s recommendations. The fourth and final issue is where the rubber hits the road. The fundamental aspect of this Inquiry comes down to ensuring the safety of all New Zealanders.

Everyone has a vested interest in the findings, recommendations, and subsequent actions.

Regardless of the Inquiry’s findings, Ardern’s Government must ensure trust is gained and built with the Muslim community as soon as possible. What clearly was supposed to have been a healing process for Muslims, to help pick up the pieces, quickly became one of the most agonising and heart-breaking experiences. Some of the victims couldn’t even get ACC payments – this needs to change.

Pressure is significantly mounting on the Government and with NZ First out of the picture, there are no excuses available to Ardern not to deliver the transformational changes needed to ensure a similar attack does not occur again.

Most importantly, Ardern’s Government must reckon with racism, and strive to tackle the systemic barriers preventing our diverse migrant and refugee communities from unlocking their full potential, and help strengthen their sense of belonging and connection to Aotearoa New Zealand.

It’s time for Ardern to practice what she’s been preaching by shaping a more kind, compassionate, welcoming, inclusive humane Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Christchurch terror attacks were unprecedented and a kind, compassionate Government means initiating reparation payments for victims and impacted families.

It’s the right thing to do.

Guled Mire is Fulbright New Zealand Scholar and Fellow at the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs in Ithaca, New York.