Australia's Racial Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman has urged communities to embrace compassion and reject division, following two stabbing attacks in Sydney this week.
Sivaraman offered his condolences to all those affected by the attack at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley and the fatal stabbings in Westfield Bondi Junction.
Racial Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman.Credit: Dan Peled
“Like the rest of the country, I have been left numb and broken by the tragic events that have transpired,” Sivaraman said. “My heart goes out to the victims, their families, friends and wider communities, and anyone struggling with what has happened. [a] some horrible days.”
Sivaraman said he was encouraged by the national show of support already being offered to the victims, but was concerned about reports of racism, divisive rhetoric and misinformation and disinformation surrounding the attacks.
“These are difficult and distressing times. Emotions are understandably high, but it's important that we make sure it doesn't spill over into a response of anger or hate,” Sivaraman said.
“With incidents of the nature we have seen, there is a greater risk of racism. After the Bondi tragedy, I was very concerned by the anti-Semitic and Islamophobic comments that flooded parts of social media, as some, ignorantly or even malevolent, they tried to wrongly blame the attacks.
“Communities should not be tarred by the actions of individuals. There is no place in our country, or anywhere, for racism of any kind. I urge all Australians to reject those who try to divide us and find ways , in our common humanity, to rise above”.
