Call for tolerance and understanding
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today spoke to leaders from the Somali community in Melbourne to discuss concerns arising from the recent arrest and charging of five people with terrorism related offences.
‘The arrests have shocked the Somali community in Melbourne and its leaders have overwhelmingly denounced any form of terrorist activity,’ Senator Evans said.
‘The Somali community contributes much to Australian society and its leaders today spoke of their commitment to Australia.’
Senator Evans said he did not want to see Australia’s culturally diverse community negatively affected by the alleged actions of a small group of individuals.
‘I join with leaders of the Somali and broader Muslim Australian communities who have called for tolerance and understanding at this time,’ Senator Evans said.
Senator Evans said his Department will continue to work with Somali leaders to recognise the contributions of the Somali community in Australia and to promote respect and understanding in the broader community.
‘People of Somali background have settled successfully in Australia under our humanitarian program since the 1990s,’ Senator Evans said.
‘The vast majority of Somali Australians are law-abiding citizens who reject extremism and intolerance and who live peacefully and strive to achieve the same goals as other Australians.‘
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2009/ce09070.htm
Last update: 07 August 2009 at 17:06 AEST