“Researchers: New Zealand has been naively”
“Shock and dismay prevails in New Zealand after the violent terrorist attacks against two mosques. How could it be done? Researcher Paul Spoonley claim that long has turned a blind eye to radical groups in the country.”
“– New Zealand’s collective innocence must fall, he says to TT.”
“the Christchurch and New Zealand wake up to a new reality.”
“Outside the gates of the al-Noor – one of the two mosques where at least 49 people lost their lives in what was classed as the worst massacre in New Zealand’s history in peacetime – is drifts of colorful flowers.”
“The brutal deed was done by all, judging by the grossly racist motives. The realization has shocked the residents of New Zealand, which has long seen to its community as a progressive and tolerant.”
“– the Picture is true to a certain extent. But it has been a naivety in New Zealand. You’ve believed that we have been some sort of tolerant exception, ” says Paul Spoonley, a researcher at Massey University in Auckland, on the phone to the TT.”
“the Internet provides new opportunities.”
“Paul Spoonley has been researching about the radical groups in New Zealand since the 1970s. Then, almost 50 years ago, observed around 70 different groups that could be classed as right-wing or ultranationalist. Some spoke of a jewish conspiracy, the other was inspired by the british empire, or 1940’s Germany.”
“since Then, the radicals shifted the focus, says Spoonley. Now they are mainly active online, and they are pointing out muslims as a target. Many of them espouse racially motivated acts abroad, as the massacre on Utøya in Norway 2011.”
“– the Internet has given new opportunities for these groups to organize themselves across national borders. The authorities have failed to understand the threat that they pose, ” says Spoonley.”
“the investigative reporter Steve Addison, who lives in Christchurch, parts of the same image. In New Zealand, right-wing extremists has long been regarded as insane loners who live on the margins of society and who not to take seriously, ” he says.”
“– the Consensus has always been that it is about the few mentally ill people. You have seen them a bit as a joke, not as any organized, dangerous group.”
“the Issue has not been prioritised politically, according to Steve Addison. When the politicians are discussing immigration opportunities and challenges, they become trapped often in the details, as wage and house prices.”
“– It is spoken very rarely on racism and ideological disagreements. The question is not really on the political agenda.”
“the Perpetrator from Australia.”
“Three people have been arrested by the police in Christchurch after the incidents. One of them is a man with australian citizenship.”
“That man is born and raised in Australia can be problematic for the self-examination who are now waiting for, says Paul Spoonley, because it may tempt the authorities to push the responsibility away from themselves.”
“– It would be a pity if it becomes so. It was here that he performed the deed and maybe even here he was radicalised, ” he says.”
“– Now I hope, instead, that we begin to take these dangerous currents seriously.”
“At 13.40 local time (01.40 cet) was an armed person in the al-Noor mosque in the centre of Christchurch and opened fire during Friday prayers. The other shootings have taken place in Linwood mosque shortly thereafter.”
“49 people were killed in the shootings, according to police. 20 were seriously injured. New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern calls the deed of a well-planned terrorist attack.”
“A 28-year-old man, citizen of Australia, has been arrested and served with the suspicion of murder.”
“The suspected shooter direktsände the deed on Facebook. Just before the attack was published, something that can be likened to a manifesto in the social media and forums on the internet. To the text actually written by the offender is not confirmed, but very much on suggesting it.”