Terror attack and its impact

Posted on 07 September 2021

The attack at Lynn Mall shopping centre shocked New Zealanders. Four people remain in hospital.
 
New Zealanders, including Sri Lankan New Zealanders reacted in horror, shame and anger - that the actions of one individual can - wrongly - reflect on a group of people. But this attacker no more represents our Sri Lankan Kiwis than the Christchurch shooter represented Pākeha Kiwis.
 
Dr Himali McInnes (Sri Lankan New Zealander, and also wife of CID Chair and CEO of Tearfund Ian McInnes), wrote this piece for the UK Guardian.
 
“Reports that the terrorist was a brown man, a Sri Lankan national twisted by Islamic State ideology, ignited a maelstrom of emotion within me. Disbelief – what else could possibly go wrong, in a world wracked by pandemic? Horror for the victims and others, as they scrambled to flee. Pity for our Muslim New Zealanders, for the ripping apart of unhealed wounds from the events in Christchurch in March 2019. Pity, too, for our diligent police – what reckoning would come over their actions or possible inaction?”
 
There is mounting concern that the Lynn Mall attack could make it harder to bring Afghan refugees to New Zealand. These are people who have supported the New Zealand Defense Force and CID member charities, and are fleeing the  threat of similar terrorist attacks.
 
Key points:

  • The attacker came to New Zealand as a student, not a refugee
  • He applied for refugee status once here, but was initially declined
  • It was eventually granted after he presented evidence of torture and risk of life if returned to  Sri Lanka
  • In 2016 he came to the attention of police after posting graphic war images and pro Islamic State comments
  • In 2018 the Crown sought to revoke his refugee status on the grounds that it had been ‘fraudulently obtained’
  • After time in prison for lesser charges, his refugee status was revoked, but he was appealing
  • It appears he was still under a ‘protected persons’ order which meant that he could not be deported once the risk of attacks was recognised
  • Legislation covering the planning of terrorists attacks is in the process of being updated