Page 21 - IB MAR 2019

Terrorism

Pro Vice-Chancellor at the College of
Humanities and Social Sciences at Massey
University, Paul Spoonley, says there is
plenty of evidence of local Islamophobic
views, especially online.
Of a project he undertook last year to
look at hate speech, Spoonley said: “It
would be wrong to characterise these
views and comments as widespread, but
New Zealand was certainly not exempt
from Islamophobia.”
“There is also a naivety amongst New
Zealanders, including the media, about the
need to be tolerant towards the intolerant.
There is not necessarily a direct causation
between the presence of Islamophobia
and what has happened in Christchurch.
But this attack must end our collective
innocence,” he said.
Mourners pray for the victims of the Christchurch shooting. Photo: Fiji Government The shootings have also caused some
soul-searching in Fiji, which has a history
of ethnic and religious tension. Comments
Pacific mourns NZ victims condoning the attacks and attributed to Fiji
users were reportedly posted to the site.
Terrorist attack raises social media questions Fiji police say they are now investigating
the alleged posts.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama
By Samantha Magick attack, blocking more than 1.2 million of said soon after the incident: “I call on all
them at upload. Youtube says it removed Fijians across all backgrounds and faiths
FIJI continues to mourn the death of three human reviewers from monitoring so that to join me in making this pledge: When-
nationals who were shot while at prayer automated systems could take down more ever you encounter someone who says
in two New Zealand mosques this month. videos instantly, and that it shared infor- something racist and hateful, whether
The men, 58-year-old Ashraf Razak mation with the Global Internet Forum to it is online or in person, say something.
Ali, 59-year-old Imam Haji Musa Patel, Counter Terrorism, so other companies Do something. Have the courage to call
and 61-year-old Ashraf Ali, were amongst could take the ‘original’ and edited ver- them out, and counter their hatred with
50 worshippers killed at the Masjid Al sions of the videos down as well. reason. Be the voice of love. Be the voice
Noor and Linwood Islamic Centre. The “The volume of related videos uploaded of change.”
alleged gunman, a 28-year-old Australian to YouTube in the 24 hours after the at- Meanwhile Fiji’s Hindu community led
Brenton Tarrant, will reappear in court on tack was unprecedented both in scale and by the Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha
April 5. speed – at times as fast as a new upload said it was cancelling Holi celebrations
At the time of writing, New Zealand every second. as a mark of respect for the Christchurch
High Commissioner Jonathan Curr said his New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda victims. Holi is usually a colourful cel-
government was doing everything it could Ardern appealed to social media platforms ebration in Fiji as Hindus celebrate the
to facilitate the travel of the Fiji relatives to do more to combat terrorism. “They victory of good over evil. In Auckland, the
and mourners of the three to Christchurch are the publisher, not just the postman. Pasifika festival was cancelled for safety
for funeral services. There cannot be a case of all profit, no and security reasons, as was the final day
Disturbingly, the accused gunman man- responsibility.” of the Auckland secondary schools dance
aged to livestream the first 17 minutes of Several New Zealand companies, in- festival, Polyfest.
the attack on Facebook Live. The video cluding Westpac NZ and Lotto NZ, have Pacific leaders were quick to offer sym-
was removed, but versions of it continue to suspended advertising on Facebook in pathy and support after the terrorist attack.
proliferate online, as it is reposted and re- response to the tragedy and the company’s PNG’s Prime Minister Peter said the “vi-
shared on various social media platforms. handling of the aftermath. Tourism Fiji has cious attack” was “disgusting”, Nauru’s
Fiji’s Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khai- postponed the implementation of its new President and Pacific Islands Forum Chair
yum told mourners at an interfaith service ‘Bulanaires’ campaign in New Zealand Baron Waqa said “We are a Forum fam-
in Suva that the video was “revolting”. in response to the attack. It has not ruled ily and what affects one, affects all. The
Youtube and Facebook have defended out using Facebook in delivering the cam- people of New Zealand are in our thoughts
themselves against accusations they didn’t paign, saying “Tourism Fiji uses Facebook and prayers.” Cook Islands Prime Minister
move quickly enough to block the video’s as a marketing channel with a large fol- Henry Puna said: “We think also of our
spread. Facebook claims the live stream lowing on our FB pages and posts.” Cook Islands community in Christchurch
of the attack was viewed less than 200 While the attack shocked many Pacific and in New Zealand, with so many of our
times and non-live by 4,000 people before Islanders, not only because of its proxim- people who have made their homes there.
it was removed. ity but also because of the perception of New Zealand is home for all of us, and this
Facebook says 24 hours after the attack, New Zealand as a peaceful and welcoming despicable act will not change that feeling
it had removed 1.5 uploaded copies of the country, others were not so surprised. of closeness in us.”

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