The NSW Council for Civil Liberties condemns the appalling act of terrorism that was inflicted last Friday upon people peacefully at prayer in Christchurch.

On Friday night, President of the Council, Pauline Wright, said “Our thoughts are with the people of Christchurch in all their diversity. NSW Council for Civil Liberties supports the rights of people of faith to observe their religions, no matter whether in a synagogue, temple, church or mosque. It is a dark day for our sisters and brothers across the Tasman and our hearts go out to them.”

“It is vital in liberal democracies such as New Zealand and Australia that people be able to worship in peace, free of fear, free of hate” she said. 

The statement made by Qld Senator Fraser Anning in the wake of the terrorist attack was, Ms Wright said, “an egregious example of blaming the victims of a horrendous act of violence”. She said “Senator Anning has, as we all do, the right to free speech. And we at NSW Council for Civil Liberties have the right to condemn his ignorant and heartless nonsense.”

Ms Wright said that his statement was “so close to the edge of criminal hate-speech that he may well have crossed that line. Blaming the Christchurch victims cannot be condoned. Shame on him.”

NSW Council for Civil Liberties calls upon all Australians to stand firmly with the people of New Zealand against hatred.

Contacts in relation to this statement.

Pauline Wright

President

NSW CCL

0418 292 656