Media Release: Operation Burnham Public Hearing is a farce
On Thursday morning, human rights campaigners demonstrated outside the first public ‘module’ of the Government Inquiry
into the SAS killing of civilians in ‘Operation Burnham’. The campaigners hung a 7m x 2m banner from the building
opposite the hearing. It says, ‘Palmer’s secret inquiry is a farce’.
They have labelled the inquiry a farce, as much of it will be held behind closed doors, locking out victims and public.
The Inquiry instead has offered public ‘modules’ on other topics, the first being the history of the Afghanistan war.
“This module is a token gesture to placate the public, in the otherwise secret inquiry. It’s nothing more than a
patronising history lesson, when it should be holding the NZDF to account,” said spokesperson Sarah Atkinson.
“What sort of inquiry gives patronising history lessons, and shuts out the victims? This ‘module’ is a red herring, a
total waste of time and money,” said Sarah Atkinson
The campaigners are part of the Hit and Run Inquiry Campaign. They pushed for a government inquiry into the 2010
NZSAS-led raid, known as Operation Burnham resulting in civilian deaths and injuries Tirgiran Valley, Afghanistan. While
initially elated that an inquiry could be held, they have come to believe that the NZDF are dictating the process of the
inquiry.
“We have been working on this issue for a long time. Lots of street messages – many pulled down by NZDF, protests and
leafleting. We hoped the inquiry would open and transparent, but it has all gone secret – secret evidence, secret
documents, secret hearings – which aids the cover up. After a whole year all we get is this ridiculous ‘module’ and
nothing about the villagers and what actually happened,” said spokesperson Mary Fisher
Campaigners also say that the inquiry is behind schedule. The inquiry was intended to take one year from its start date
of 11 April 2018, almost one year ago.
“One year later and nothing’s happened. The NZDF is dragging its feet, and the heads of the inquiry are letting it
happen. It’s incredibly frustrating to realise how much power the Defence Force has over an inquiry that’s supposedly
investigating them. It feels like the cover up never stopped. We’re stuck on the sidelines, watching a whitewash in
action,” said spokesperson Mary Fisher.