14.2. BEFORE THE RELEASE The inquiry should plan the release carefully, well in advance, with its focus firmly on promoting implementation of the recommendations. It may have limited control over the report’s actual release date. In countries where the report has to be tabled in the parliament, the inquiry may be prevented by law from releasing the report prior to the tabling and it may have no control over the tabling date. That is usually a matter for the parliament’s President or Speaker or for the Government minister responsible for tabling reports. The inquiry can and should liaise closely with the person or agency responsible for tabling so that it has advance notice of the tabling and as much time as possible to make definite plans for an event to mark the report’s release. However, ultimately the inquiry must have its plans made and ready to go and be able to conduct an event for the release on relatively short notice. There are important steps that can be taken in advance to prepare for the release. The inquiry can: • brief key witnesses and victims, so that they are prepared for the release, have a general understanding of what the report will cover (even if they cannot be provided with specific information) and are aware of the arrangements for events and activities related to the release • brief key Government and political leaders, so that they have a context in which to understand the findings and recommendations when they receive the report • identify and give appropriate advice to those who will make public statements at the time of the release – inquiry members – key witnesses and victims – advocates for the report • prepare the media – brief key journalists – write opinion pieces for publication when the report is released – provide advance interviews with key people, embargoed until the report is released. Preparing the media is very important. The media are the principal means by which the inquiry’s findings and recommendations are communicated to the wider community. Arrangements for the release, therefore, need to ensure prior briefing of key journalists and opportunities for the media to interview Inquiry Commissioners, victims and experts. The interviews can be conducted in advance of the release, provided they are subject to a strict and clearly understood embargo and not used until the release occurs. A great deal of media material can be prepared in advance of the release so that it is ready to go as soon as the report is tabled or otherwise made public. 14.3. THE MAIN RELEASE EVENT The release should occur in some kind of public event or activity, whether or not there has to be parliamentary tabling. Where there has to be parliamentary tabling, this event or activity should be held at the same time or as soon as possible thereafter. The event could be a media conference held at the premises of the NHRI or in some other appropriate venue, for example, a place where victims of the violation are located. Alternatively, it could be at a conference organised either by the NHRI itself or by relevant NGOs or academic institutions. Either way, the event is a public event to which the media are invited. Chapter 14: Release the report | 71