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.

© Scoop Media