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The royal commission investigating the Christchurch terrorist attack recommended the creation of a new national intelligence and security agency, changing firearms licensing rules, and reforming hate speech laws.
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques on March 15, 2019, whose report will be released to the public on Tuesday, is understood to have issued 44 recommendations.
The suggested changes are designed to enhance the country’s counterterrorism effort, improve the firearms licensing system, support the recovery needs of affected whānau, survivors, and witnesses, and enhance the public sector’s response to a growing population. diverse.
Tessa Burrows / Getty Images
Tributes and notes of support and solidarity were issued from around the world in response to the attacks on the mosque on March 15, 2019 in Christchurch.
The report apparently recommends a new bureaucracy responsible for fighting terrorism, including a minister responsible for the area and a new national intelligence and security agency.
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Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed on Monday that there will be a new minister to coordinate the implementation of the investigation’s findings.
The report is also believed to say that the Government should direct the police to establish operational rules and guidelines for the firearms licensing system that are clear and consistent with legislation.
It suggests two new processes for people who have lived outside of New Zealand for substantial periods in the 10 years prior to their application.
They should be required to submit criminal background checks from countries where they have previously lived, and firearms verification officers should interview family members or other close connections in other countries if the applicant does not have close relatives or close associates in New Zealand. .
The report is also understood to oblige health professionals treating firearm injuries to report to the police.
George heard / things
People gather outside the scene of the mass shooting at Masjid An-Nur on Deans Ave in Christchurch on March 15, 2019.
It also recommends establishing an electronic licensing system to process applications for firearms licenses, ensure that police personnel have regular training, and conduct regular reviews of the quality of their work.
It is also understood that the commission recommended adding hate crimes to the Summary Crimes Act and the Crimes Act, including the crime of inciting religious or racial discord based on the intention to incite, maintain or normalize hatred through threats. , abuse or insults Communications
The definition of objectionable in censorship legislation should include racial superiority, racial hatred and racial discrimination, the report says.
The commission recommends a number of changes to make life easier for victims, including giving each whānau, survivor or witness a single point of contact who will navigate all the public sector support required on their behalf.
He wants a new public agency to advise the government and agencies on the challenges that affect ethnic communities. Diversity in public sector leadership should be encouraged.
The commission’s report says the new intelligence agency should have an executive director who is the intelligence and security adviser to the prime minister and the cabinet and will chair a security and intelligence board.
CHRIS SKELTON / Things
The sentence of the mosque shooter was an emotional day for the affected families.
The agency would develop a counter-terrorism strategy, provide police advice, and lead engagement with communities, civil society, local government, and the private sector.
The commission also suggests the creation of an interdepartmental board to coordinate how public sector agencies work in the field of intelligence and security.
The chief executive of the new agency should be in charge of changing information sharing practices from a need-to-know principle to ensure that it “enables, rather than limits, information sharing.”
He wants security ratings to be expanded so that no information remains classified indefinitely, and says that information should be classified at the lowest level where there is doubt. Special attention should be paid to exchanging information with the local government, the report says.
There must be a place where the public can report on the behavior or activity, the report says, and the government must find ways to show the public what specific behaviors a person may display to have the potential to engage in violent extremism and terrorism. .
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON / Stuff
Neither did Abd Wahib and her husband, Rahimi Bin Ahmad, at the mosque shooter’s sentencing.
