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New Zealand offers residency to families of mosque victims
WELLINGTON, April 24, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – New Zealand opened a two-year window
Wednesday for people directly affected by the Christchurch terror attacks to
apply to stay permanently in the country.
The special visa category “recognises the impact of the tragedy on the
lives of those most affected, and gives people currently on temporary and
resident visas some certainty” about their status, Immigration New Zealand
said in a statement.
People living in New Zealand who were present at one of the mosques and
their immediate family based in New Zealand qualify for the visa.
The definition of “immediate family” has been expanded to include a wide
circle of family members including partner’s family and the grandparents of
children under 25.
Mustafa Farouk, the president of the Federation of Islamic Associations of
New Zealand, said it was a generous gesture.
“We are very happy,” he said, adding he expected everyone eligible would
apply.
“Some of these people have not only lost their loved ones, they have also
lost their main provider.”
A self-styled white supremacist opened fire on Muslims at prayer in two
Christchurch mosques on March 15.
Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian” has been charged with 50 counts
of murder and 39 of attempted murder.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1334 hrs