Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

GCSB welcomes Inspector-General’s Report

9 September 2019

The Director-General of the GCSB Andrew Hampton welcomes the finding by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security that Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) had no direct involvement in the CIA’s detention and interrogation programme 2001 – 2009 and was not complicit in any unlawful conduct.

As part of this investigation the Inspector-General has looked into the GCSB’s role and activities supporting the Cabinet mandated New Zealand deployment to Afghanistan as part of a United Nations mandated international coalition.

“These findings are testament to the professionalism, integrity and good judgement of the GCSB staff who provided intelligence support to New Zealand’s military deployment to Afghanistan,” Mr Hampton said.

“I wish to take this opportunity to thank these dedicated men and women for their spirit of service to New Zealand, especially those who were deployed overseas and had to operate in often trying and dangerous circumstances, away from their loved ones for long periods of time.”

The Inspector-General acknowledged the performance and judgement of the deployed GCSB staff, finding that the deployed staff performed their roles to the standards required. The report has however identified areas for improvement in the support, training and supervision deployed staff received.

“GCSB staff who go on deployment in support of New Zealand’s military make personal sacrifices to serve their country, and they deserve the best support, guidance and training we can give them.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“Much has changed in the 10 to 15 years since the deployments covered by the Inspector-General’s report,” Mr Hampton said.

The Inspector-General states in her report (para 110) “The statutory regime has since changed, the agencies have improved their relevant support and training for staff and both current Directors-General acknowledge their responsibility to ensure compliance with New Zealand law.”

“I have met with the GCSB staff who were deployed during this period,” Mr Hampton said. “We discussed the Inspector-General’s findings and their experiences and I asked them to give me any further suggestions on how any future guidance and support could be improved.”

The legal framework for co-operation between the New Zealand intelligence agencies and those of other countries, including Five Eyes partners, has been completely updated as a result of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017.

“New Zealand gains significant benefit from co-operation with international intelligence partners, especially the Five Eyes,” Mr Hampton said. “We get access to intelligence that helps keep New Zealanders safe and secure, that we would not be able to generate by ourselves.

“All co-operation with international intelligence partners is governed by New Zealand law, including human rights obligations.”

“I take this responsibility very seriously,” said Mr Hampton. “The Director-General of Security and I wrote to the Inspector-General setting out our commitment to upholding human rights and she has included our statement in her report.” (pg. 8)

Any cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies now needs to be in accordance with a Ministerial Policy Statement issued by the Minister Responsible for the GCSB and NZSIS. This includes completing human rights assessments of those countries.

The Minister has recently re-issued authorisations for co-operation with our Five Eyes partners based on updated human rights assessments, taking into account the Inspector-General’s recommendations.

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is currently reviewing the Ministerial Policy Statement for co-operation with foreign intelligence agencies and the Inspector-General’s useful recommendations are being considered as part of this process.

The Inspector-General has identified a small number of intelligence reports held on GCSB systems that contain information from the CIA which may have been gained through the detention and interrogation programme. The Inspector-General has recommended a process for assessment and documentation of these reports before they are disposed of or sealed.

“In line with the Inspector-General’s recommendations GCSB has made sure these reports are no longer available for use while we work through the process she has recommended,” Mr Hampton said.

Note for reporters

The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security’s report of the Inquiry into possible New Zealand intelligence and security agencies’ engagement with the CIA detention and interrogation programme 2001-2009 is available on the Inspector-General’s website.


ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.