New Zealand To Apologise For 'racist' Historic Police Raids
Sumaira FH Published June 14, 2021 | 10:40 AM
Wellington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jun, 2021 ) :Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Monday she will offer a formal apology to New Zealand's Pacific community over "demeaning" police raids that targeted them in the 1970s.
Ardern said the notorious "dawn raids" were carried out by police and immigration officials seeking to identify and deport visa overstayers.
In addition, she said Pacific islanders were racially profiled, with officials subjecting them to random stop and search without justification.
"They were routinely severe with demeaning verbal and physical treatment," Ardern told reporters.
"The raids and what they represented created deep wounds, while we cannot change our history, we can acknowledge it and seek to right a wrong." Ardern said the apology would take place on June 26 at Auckland Town Hall.
New Zealand encouraged migration from Pacific islands such as Samoa, Tonga and Fiji after World War II to fill worker shortages as the economy expanded.
But they faced a backlash when there was a downturn in the 1970s, with claims they were taking jobs from New Zealanders.
Minister for Pacific Peoples William Sio, who has a Samoan background, said the raids were "racist and discriminatory".
Sio fought back tears as he described his own family's experiences.
"The memories are etched in of my father being helpless... someone knocking at your door in the early hours of the morning with a flashlight in your face, disrespecting the owner of our home," he said.
"An Alsatian dog frothing at the mouth, wanting to come in without any respect for the people who live there. It was quite traumatising."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
15 hours ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
15 hours ago -
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
3 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
5 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
5 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
5 days ago
-
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
5 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
6 days ago -
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
8 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
12 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
12 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
12 days ago