Arabic version: تزايد الدعوات للشفافية في مراجعة وفاة كومانجاوي وايت
The family of Kumanjayi White is demanding the Northern Territory government release an independent review into his death, criticizing the secrecy surrounding the investigation. Kumanjayi White, a Warlpiri man with disabilities, died in May 2025 after being restrained by police in an Alice Springs supermarket. According to ABC News, the review has been submitted to NT Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) but remains unpublished.
NT Police stated that they cannot release parts of the review until the criminal investigation is complete. The DPP is currently considering whether to lay charges against the officers involved, while Indigenous leaders have expressed disappointment over the lack of transparency in the process.
Kumanjayi White’s family, alongside First Nations legal services and Amnesty International, has criticized the review’s independence, stating it has not included family engagement. Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, Mr. White’s grandfather, articulated concerns over the investigation’s bias and the absence of family involvement in the review process.
The NT opposition has also raised alarms about the government’s secretive approach, with Shadow Attorney-General Chansey Paech emphasizing the need for openness regarding the investigation. Calls for the report’s immediate release have come from various community leaders, including former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner Mick Gooda, who urged the government to ensure transparency for the community and the family.
The situation remains tense as the investigation continues, with the family still awaiting answers about Kumanjayi White’s final moments. They have requested access to CCTV footage from the incident, which police have yet to release, citing ongoing evidence collection. As pressure mounts for accountability, the NT government and the police have not provided clear responses to inquiries regarding the review’s contents or the investigation’s timeline.
