8 February, 2008
Minister reassures Somalicommunity
Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter has spokenwith Somali community leaders following the incident on theEagle Air flight travelling from Blenheim to Christchurchtoday which involved a member of the Somalicommunity.
Members of the Somali community are concernedthat today’s event will cause other New Zealanders tojudge all Somalis by the actions of just one person. Theydon’t want to see their community stigmatised by thisserious incident, Chris Carter said.
“Leaders of theSomali community said they were appalled that someone fromtheir community was responsible for the incident.
“TheSomali community leaders I have spoken with requested thatpeople don’t judge the whole community by the actions of asingle individual.
“I know, as someone who has hadextensive engagement with the Somali community during the 5years I have been Ethnic Affairs Minister, that Somali Kiwifamilies, like most other Kiwi families, are made up ofhard-working, law abiding people, trying to do the best forthemselves and their children.”
Chris Carter will be inChristchurch tomorrow and hopes to meet personally withmembers of the Somali community.
“I want to assureSomali New Zealanders that the government will not tolerateany racial or religious intolerance,” the Ministersaid.
There are around 1800 Somali people in New Zealandaccording to the 2006Census.
ENDS
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