Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Inquiry into the Attack on Christchurch Mosques - Update 13
Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Attack on Christchurch Mosques - Update 13
The Royal Commission has entered a new phase of the inquiry by taking evidence under oath.
This is in addition to other methods of gathering evidence and insights including through meetings with a broad range of experts, leaders and community members.
“Taking sworn evidence from participants is a serious step to take and one that requires meticulous preparation and implementation,” says Commissioner Sir William Young.
“This very formal process allows the Royal Commission to thoroughly examine and interrogate the evidence and material provided to us.”
The Terms of Reference set by the Government direct the Royal Commission to inquire into the individual’s activities before the attack.
“We have taken evidence under oath from a number of people in relation to this aspect of the Terms of Reference and it has been very illuminating,” says Member Jacqui Caine.
Further evidential interactions like this are planned with a range of individuals and organisations, alongside continued requests for specific information.
In July the Royal Commission extended an invitation to current and former staff (and contractors) of State sector agencies, to talk directly with the Royal Commission.
This invitation provides an
option for those with relevant and potentially valuable
information, to talk with the Royal Commission directly and
privately.
“We have these conversations in private and
with a very, very careful process wrapped around people so
they can be confident sharing information without fear of
repercussions on their current or future employment.
I’m
pleased to say that we have received information, evidence
and insights vital to the inquiry through this route,”
says Sir William
Meetings with families and survivors
continue in private and with the greatest respect for all of
those affected by the traumatic events in Christchurch on 15
March 2019.
The Muslim Community Reference Group has now met with the Royal Commission three times and there is active engagement with Muslim communities.
“We have always maintained the importance of meeting with community members, to gain insights and guidance to help the inquiry,” says Jacqui Caine.
Meetings have also been held with the following people and organisations recently:
• Ibrahim Ali, Chairman, Somali
Education and Development Trust
• Anita
Balakrishnan, former Director Office of Ethnic
Communities
• Gregory Fortuin, former Race
Relations Conciliator
• Paul Hunt, Human Rights
Commission
• Ziena Jalil, Advisory Board Member
for New Zealand Asian Leaders; an Established Member of
Super Diverse Women; Consulting Partner, Senate SHJ
•
Omar Khan, President and Sara Afsharpur, Vice President,
University of Auckland Muslim Students’ Association
•
Chris Laidlaw, former Race Relations Conciliator
•
Laulu Mac Leauanae, Chief Executive, Ministry for Pacific
Peoples
• Musa Botan Mohammed, Chairman; Anne
Lee, Manager; Shaima’a Al-Badri, Social Worker; Khurshed
Shah, Social Worker; Bahja Ali, Social Worker; and Whitney
Jessett, Administrator; Umma Trust
• John Ryan,
Controller and Auditor-General
• Mohammad
Soliman, President and Mohammad Saad Hassan, Vice President,
Auckland University of Technology Muslim Students’
Association
• Christine Stevenson, Chief
Executive, Department of Corrections
• The
Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand
•
Islamic Women’s Council of New Zealand
The Royal Commission now has an established secretariat both in Wellington and in Christchurch and is gathering evidence and insights at pace, while ramping up community engagement progressively.
“We still have much to do, to follow every active line of inquiry to its conclusion, hear the views of the community and ultimately meet public expectations by presenting robust findings and recommendations for the future,” says Sir William.
-ENDS-
Gordon Campbell: On Why We Can’t Survive Two More Years Of This
New Zealand Police: More Than $2.5m Worth Of Assets Restrained In Undeclared Tobacco Case
SPCA: Survey Shows Government Lacks Mandate To Repeal Live Export Ban
Peace Action Ōtautahi: Bridge Of Remembrance Peace Protest
National Wetland Trust: Public Asked To Help Prevent Fires In Wetlands This Summer
Lillian Hanly, RNZ: The Year In Politics - Stories That Dominated The Headlines In 2024
Waikato Regional Council: Studies Open Door To Mercury Islands Underwater World
