By Vishu Adhana
Wellington [New Zealand], July 10 (ANI): Vanushi Walters, New Zealand Labour Party’s spokesperson for Foreign Affairs said on Friday that their country has free speech, but it is not absolute.
Walters, while speaking to ANI on the Khalistani issue, was asked that though ties between the two countries have flourished over the years, of the major issues that has emerged as a thorn between the two countries this one.
India has been urging New Zealand to take actions against anti-India element. New Zealand has been talking about freedom of speech, but the presence of anti-India elements that threaten India’s security and safety is a concern, is a matter of concern for India.
“Well, I think we hear the concern. For us here in New Zealand, we have laws that do protect free speech, but they’re not absolute. And so if conduct gets more extreme or rises to a level of threat or inciting hatred, then certainly our domestic laws will be engaged. And that’s what we’ll be watching for. However, we’re very mindful that here in New Zealand again, we do value freedom of speech as one of our priority values,” she said.
Walters was asked about another major issue- racism. There have been graffitis, attacks on Indian origin people, attacks on Indians, asking them to go back to India.
To this, Walters responded, “Yeah, well, I feel that racism is completely unacceptable. I’m a South Asian New Zealander. And so I know that from time to time it is something that occurs, but I do think that one, it’s unacceptable, and two, we shouldn’t have any part of our leadership in our country echoing comments that are racist.”
She noted that when her party was in power, they created a ministry for ethnic communities and funded the ministry.
“I’m very proud that as a Labour Party, when we were in government, we created a ministry for ethnic communities and funded the ministry so that it could support our multicultural communities across New Zealand to engage with New Zealanders of all backgrounds. And that’s been hugely successful. We need to lean into that. My view is that we need our schools doing more in the acceptance of diversity space. But certainly we should be calling out that racism when it happens as well,” she said.
The remarks come as the issue of pro-Khalistan activities has once again come into focus ahead of PM Modi’s visit. India has repeatedly raised concerns with New Zealand over the activities of pro-Khalistan elements and alleged anti-India activities being carried out from its soil.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi emplaned for Auckland, New Zealand from Melbourne, Australia for the final leg of his 3-nation visit. (ANI)
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