In a recent meeting, Dr Rainbow made Islamophobic
comments to Philippa Yasbek, spokesperson for Alternative
Jewish Voices and Dayenu: Jews Against
Occupation.
“Dr Rainbow asserted that
the SIS threat assessment shows that Muslims pose a greater
threat to the Jewish community in New Zealand than white
supremacists. I was shocked that Dr Rainbow is so prejudiced
that he misrepresented the SIS report to say the complete
opposite of what is written in the document. The SIS report
states that it should not be used to single out any ethnic
community as a threat. It also says that white supremacists
make up the bulk of violent extremists in Aotearoa,” says
Philippa Yasbek.
“The Human Rights
Commission is meant to promote human rights and racial
equality, as well as encourage harmonious relations between
diverse groups. Dr Rainbow’s comments in our meeting were
Islamophobic and completely contrary to everything that the
Human Rights Commission is supposed to stand for. He is
clearly unable to perform the role of Chief Human Rights
Commissioner. He should immediately resign or be removed by
the Government,” says Philippa Yasbek.
The Prime
Minister said in Christchurch on 15 March “Islamophobia –
like all forms of hatred – has absolutely no place in New
Zealand, and it is our duty to challenge it wherever it
appears, whether it’s in words, policies or in the silence
that allows prejudice to fester.”
“I expect
the Government to live up to these words. I have written to
Paul Goldsmith, the Minister of Justice, asking for an
independent investigation into Dr Rainbow’s fitness for
the job. This is the first step to remove him from the
role,” says
Yasbek.
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