Human Rights Commission condemns hate attacks on Kiwi kids

Human Rights Commission condemns hate attacks on Kiwi kids

Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy has condemned the latest hate attacks on New Zealand children.

“Cowards and thugs taking part in hate attacks on Kiwi kids need to know their behaviour has no place in New Zealand,” said Dame Susan.

“I urge all Kiwis to not be bystanders and to stand up for the victims if they witness race hate attacks or abuse in their communities. I’m confident that everyday Kiwis will not stand for our neighbourhoods becoming the setting for the race hate we see on our television screens.”

This weekend Jewish New Zealanders went public after an attack on a pre-schooler. Recently Muslim Kiwis also appealed for calm after women and children reported attacks walking home from school. In August the Human Rights Commission met with and issued a statement supporting Jewish Kiwis after leaders reported a spike in anti Semitism in the wake of the ongoing Gaza conflict. The commission is also supporting Muslim Kiwis, with FIANZ leaders reporting a spike in Islamaphobic hate attacks in the wake of the ongoing ISIS terror campaign.

“When our Kiwi kids are scared to wear a yarmulke or a head scarf because some adult may abuse and attack them: we have failed,” said Dame Susan.

“New Zealand has an excellent international human rights record but it is not worth the paper it is written on if New Zealand children are under attack because of their religion or their ethnicity.”

Dame Susan says the NZ Police does an excellent job working alongside ethnic communities and she hopes they will show no lenience on those bullies attacking some of our most vulnerable people.

ENDS

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