Introduction:
The New Zealand government’s response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care is facing mounting pressure as Ngā Mōrehu, survivors of state-sanctioned abuse, demand the removal of Solicitor-General Una Jagose. Their call for her dismissal stems from Jagose’s decades-long history of aggressively pursuing legal challenges against survivors, often at the expense of justice and truth.
Survivors allege that Jagose has consistently prioritized the Crown’s interests over those of victims, employing tactics that have re-traumatized and silenced them. These include using the statute of limitations to block claims, withdrawing legal aid funding, and withholding crucial evidence.
Photo / Abuse in care
The case of Leoni McInroe, a Lake Alice survivor, exemplifies this pattern. McInroe faced years of legal battles with the Crown, during which crucial documents were withheld. Despite overwhelming evidence of torture at the institution, the Crown, under Jagose’s leadership, actively fought against survivors’ claims.
Tony Jarvis, a survivor who has been vocal in his criticism of the government’s response to the Royal Commission, echoes the concerns of many survivors. He believes that the government’s apology to survivors will be hollow without concrete action. “No more politics,” Jarvis insists, “We want to see the Government make changes to ensure those with power and influence over the law are the right people for the job.”
The ongoing controversy surrounding Jagose raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to accountability and justice for survivors. The government’s response to the Royal Commission will be heavily scrutinized, and the continued presence of Jagose in her influential role could undermine public trust and confidence in the redress process.
Ngā Mōrehu Survivors are calling for a complete overhaul of the legal system’s approach to abuse cases, emphasizing the need for a more survivor-centered approach. They argue that Jagose’s continued presence in her position undermines their trust in the system and hinders their ability to seek justice.
Solicitor-General Una Jagose
A Scathing Indictment
The Royal Commission into abuse in state care has delivered a scathing indictment of the Crown’s conduct, revealing a pattern of systemic failures and deliberate tactics designed to obstruct justice for victims. The Commission’s final report, a monumental document detailing decades of abuse and neglect, shines a harsh light on the Crown’s role in perpetuating this suffering.
A Culture of Delay and Obstruction
The report repeatedly highlights instances of Crown Law’s poor behavior, including persistent delays, a failure to provide crucial evidence and documents, and the deliberate use of tactics aimed at wearing down and discouraging victims from pursuing legal action. This pattern of conduct, aimed at protecting the state’s financial interests and reputation, has inflicted a double trauma on survivors, compounding the initial abuse with the added burden of bureaucratic roadblocks and legal battles.
Jagose: A Symbol of Crown Law’s Failures
The report specifically names Crown lawyer Jagose, highlighting her role in numerous instances of misconduct. The Commission cited cynical emails written by Jagose, and in its hearings, she admitted to withholding key information from police and other relevant parties in cases she was involved in. Her lack of remorse and inability to explain why these actions were taken have further fueled public outrage and calls for accountability
A Call for Fundamental Change
The Commission’s report is a call for a complete overhaul of the Crown’s approach to survivors’ litigation. It recommends removing legal and institutional barriers to survivor cases, providing financial support, and ensuring a sense of urgency within the court system. This new approach, a stark departure from the Crown’s historical practices, aims to create a more equitable and supportive environment for survivors seeking justice.
A New Era of Accountability
The report’s findings have sparked widespread calls for the government to take decisive action. The government has pledged a formal apology to victims and a commitment to a victim-centric response. However, many believe that more than words are needed. The report’s damning conclusions have cast a shadow over Crown Law and its agents, particularly Jagose, who has become a symbol of the agency’s failures. The government must demonstrate a genuine commitment to reform by holding Crown Law accountable for its actions and ensuring that such abuses never happen again. A new era of accountability is needed to address the systemic failures that have plagued the Crown’s response to abuse in state care.
Conclusion
Ngā Mōrehu call for action, urging the government to take concrete steps to address the concerns raised by survivors. The continued presence of Jagose in her position is seen as a symbol of the government’s unwillingness to truly confront the past and prioritize the needs of survivors.
