- Posted July 31, 2020
- Media Releases
The Director-General of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS), Rebecca Kitteridge, welcomes the release of the report by the Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security into the role of the NZSIS and Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in relation to certain specific events in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2013.
The report examines NZSIS support to Cabinet mandated New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) deployments in Afghanistan during this period which was part of a multi-national response.
A function of the intelligence agencies is to support mandated NZDF operations, including overseas deployments, with a particular focus on force protection and the safety and security of New Zealanders offshore.
“The report notes that it is confident the intelligence agencies provided valuable assistance to support the New Zealand Government’s role in Afghanistan, including playing a key role in protecting New Zealand personnel stationed there,” Ms Kitteridge says.
“In particular the report notes that the staff deployed to Afghanistan were operating in an enormously hostile environment and faced a challenging operational context.
“The report also says that the deployed NZSIS staff were industrious and effective, they built productive intelligence relationships and they reported regularly and in detail back to Wellington.
“There is no criticism of individual deployed NZSIS staff, and I wish to acknowledge their service and commitment in a very challenging environment, which was not without personal risk.
“The report makes no finding that any activity undertaken by the intelligence agencies was unlawful, or that there was complicity with Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) regarding the alleged mistreatment of Qari Miraj while he was detained by the NDS.
“I note that the activity considered in this report took place up to 11 years ago, and we operate under different legislation today.
“The Intelligence and Security Act 2017 sets out a clear framework for how we can support New Zealand military engagements overseas. This includes ensuring we comply with New Zealand law, including our human rights obligations.
“My expectation is that the NZSIS fully complies with these obligations.
“I accept the commentary regarding oversight of deployed NZSIS staff in Afghanistan.
“We have already made changes to how we manage such deployments, and the comments in the report reinforce the importance of proper, effective management of staff when they are deployed.
“I also acknowledge the report’s comments about accessing some historic records and emails which were requested by the Inquiry.
“The NZSIS has made changes to its information management processes, and is absolutely committed to ensuring we satisfy the standards of the Public Records Act 2005, as well as our obligations under the Intelligence and Security Act 2017 regarding records.” says Ms Kitteridge.
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Media contact: media@nzic.govt.nz