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The royal commission’s report on the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings has been submitted to the government, 20 months after its first commissioning.
On March 15 of last year, a gunman shot and killed 51 worshipers in two mosques in downtown Christchurch. In August, the man, Australian Brenton Tarrant, was sentenced to life in prison for his crimes, motivated by white supremacist ideology.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ordered a royal commission of inquiry into why and how the massacre occurred, and whether there was anything government officials and police could have done to prevent it.
Before the attack, the gunman posted multiple references to his plan online, was able to legally obtain a weapons license, and carried out reconnaissance missions at both mosques.
The investigation was carried out behind closed doors and interviewed everyone from senior security officials to survivors, current and former prime ministers.
The 792-page report was presented today to Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy, who will hand it over to the government for review.
It is up to the prime minister to decide when and how the report will be released, but many expect it to be released before Christmas.
In a statement, the royal commission said it had written the report in such a way that it could be available for the public to read in its entirety, without the need for redactions.
“Having completed 18 months of intense investigation, participation and analysis, we urge the government to consider the findings and act on the recommendations,” said Commissioner Sir William Young.
Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti said he had received the report and that it should be presented to the House of Representatives as soon as possible.
“We will share the report confidentially with families and victims prior to public release and will work closely with them. It is only fair that they have the space and opportunity to reflect privately on the findings, ”said Tinetti.
During the course of the investigation, more than 400 meetings were held, 340 nondisclosure orders were issued, 73,500 pages of evidence and submissions were analyzed, and information was requested from 217 public sector agencies.
More than 1,100 people wrote formal presentations to the commission, while many more got in touch to share their thoughts, experiences and suggestions.
Survivors of the massacre, the worst in modern New Zealand history, say they are hopeful that the government will listen to the commission’s recommendations, as some in the Muslim community feel they were ignored in the run-up to the massacre. , after warning the police and authorities. repeatedly that hate crimes and abusive behavior against his community were on the rise.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to undertake this investigation,” said Commissioners Young and Jacqui Caine.
“Our hope is that this report not only provides answers, but also momentum for change and conversations about the kind of country we want to be.”
