Christchurch attack: Outrage as senator blames Muslims, immigration laws

New Zealand: Queensland senator William Fraser Anning is under fire after his highly controversial statement that emerged after Christchurch terror attack on Friday, in which he blamed his country’s immigration laws that led to an increasing Muslim presence in New Zealand.

https://twitter.com/SusanCarland/status/1106460417436450817

In a written statement issued by his office, Senator Anning said that [the terrorist attack] highlighted the growing fear of “Muslim presence” within Australia and New Zealand.

https://twitter.com/fraser_anning/status/1106432499704451072

Perhaps the most notable person to criticise the disgusting, anti-Muslim remarks was none other than the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison himself.

Morrison said that the views expressed by Senator Anning had “no place in Australia, let alone the Australian parliament”.

The remarks by Senator Fraser Anning blaming the murderous attacks by a violent, right-wing, extremist terrorist in New Zealand on immigration are disgusting. Those views have no place in Australia, let alone the Australian Parliament.

— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) March 15, 2019

British Home Secretary Sajid Javid condemned the remarks, saying that Australians would be utterly ashamed of “this racist man”.

At a time for grieving and reflection, this Australian senator @fraser_anning fans the flames of violence & extremism. Australians will be utterly ashamed of this racist man. In no way does he represent our Australian friends https://t.co/uzezIeNjbN

— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) March 15, 2019

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari also criticised the anti-Muslim remarks, saying that this mindset encouraged anti-Muslim terrorism.

This is the Islamophobic sick mindset that encourages the rise of anti-Muslim terrorism. Absolutely disgusting. pic.twitter.com/OTgMaOVzmn

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) March 15, 2019

Senator Anning is, however, not unknown for his anti-Muslim stance. Days before the Christchurch terror attack took place, the senator had said he totally stood against Muslims in “our” parliament.

https://twitter.com/fraser_anning/status/1105374678200139782

Even that message of his had brought considerable backlash from Twitteratis who said it was in fact he who needed to be out of the parliament.