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NZ Apologizes for State Care Abuse
New Zealand formally apologizes for widespread abuse in state care, spanning 70 years, impacting hundreds of thousands of children and vulnerable adults.
English
United States
Human Rights ViolationsGender IssuesGovernmentAbuseApologyInquirySurvivors
New Zealand GovernmentParliament
Christopher LuxonUna JagoseFrances Tagaloa
- What are the demands of survivors beyond an apology?
- Survivor Frances Tagaloa highlighted the need for more than just an apology, emphasizing the requirement for counseling and clarification on support and compensation for survivors. The government is working on recommendations, but specifics regarding compensation are yet to be released.
- Who delivered the apology, and what was the reaction?
- Prime Minister Christopher Luxon delivered the apology in Parliament, where he was interrupted by protesters. Solicitor General Una Jagose also offered an apology, acknowledging the government's failure to protect those in their care.
- Which groups were most vulnerable to abuse in state care?
- The inquiry revealed that Maori and Pacific Islander communities, along with people with disabilities, were disproportionately affected by the abuse. Types of abuse included rape, electric shock, sterilization, and forced labor.
- What prompted the New Zealand government's formal apology?
- New Zealand's government formally apologized for widespread abuse, torture, and neglect of approximately 200,000 children and vulnerable adults in state care between 1950 and 2019. The apology followed a public inquiry that detailed horrific accounts of abuse.
- What is the significance of this apology, and what challenges remain?
- The abuse in state care spanned seven decades, leaving a lasting impact on countless individuals and communities. The government's apology marks a significant step towards addressing past wrongs, but significant work remains in providing adequate support and redress for survivors.