2019 Christchurch mosque shootings

On March 15, 2019, a terrorist attack took place at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. The attack was carried out by a lone gunman during Friday prayers and led to the deaths of 51 people and injuries to 40 others. The attack was live-streamed on Facebook. The shooter, an Australian man, was apprehended by the police shortly after the attacks. This incident is considered the deadliest mass shooting in New Zealand's history.

In response to the Christchurch mosque shootings, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on March 19, 2019, a plan to implement stricter gun laws in New Zealand. The government proposed a ban on all military-style semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles, along with a buy-back scheme. This decision was made to prevent such tragedies in the future and was met with widespread approval among the public and legislators.

Following the live-streaming of the Christchurch mosque attacks, global social media companies faced intense scrutiny over their content moderation practices. On March 21, 2019, a number of major tech companies, including Facebook, Google, and Twitter, pledged to improve their methods for identifying and removing extremist content from their platforms. This announcement was part of a broader effort to prevent the dissemination of such content online.

On April 10, 2019, New Zealand's parliament voted nearly unanimously to pass a law banning military-style semi-automatic weapons, assault rifles, and high-capacity magazines. This legislation was fast-tracked following the Christchurch mosque attacks, reflecting the urgency of the issue and the widespread consensus on the need for reform. The law also included provisions for a buy-back scheme for existing firearms covered by the ban.

On May 15, 2019, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and French President Emmanuel Macron hosted the Christchurch Call to Action summit in Paris. This international summit aimed to address the security challenges posed by terrorist and violent extremist content online. World leaders, tech companies, and representatives from online platforms participated in the event to jointly develop and commit to measures that mitigate the risk of posting extremist content online.

Following the Christchurch mosque shootings, a victim support fund was established to provide financial assistance to the surviving victims and families of those killed in the attacks. On June 17, 2019, the New Zealand government announced the allocation of the funds, which totaled millions of dollars raised both domestically and internationally. This support was part of an ongoing effort to help the victims recover from the tragic event.

On June 20, 2019, the perpetrator of the Christchurch mosque shootings pleaded guilty to 51 murders, 40 attempted murders, and engaging in a terrorist act. The guilty plea was unexpected, as the defendant had initially denied the charges. This plea brought some relief to the victims' families, sparing them from a lengthy trial. The shooter faced sentence proceedings later in the year, where victims and families were given the opportunity to present impact statements.

On August 15, 2019, the Christchurch mosque shooter was convicted on all charges and received a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. This unprecedented sentence was the first time a person in New Zealand had been given life imprisonment without parole. The judge described the attack as callous and unprecedented in New Zealand, and hoped the sentence would serve as a strong deterrent to violent extremism.

By October 30, 2019, New Zealand and its global partners began implementing agreements made during the Christchurch Call to Action summit. These agreements focus on curbing the online spread of violent extremism and have gathered support from multiple countries and tech companies. The progress in implementing these agreements highlights the collaborative effort to increase internet safety and prevent extremism post-Christchurch attack.

On December 12, 2019, a national memorial service for the victims of the Christchurch mosque shootings was held in Christchurch. Thousands attended, including government officials, community leaders, and international dignitaries. The service was a poignant moment of remembrance and solidarity, highlighting the resilience of the affected community and the nation's commitment to countering hate and promoting peace.