Turkish opposition visits New Zealand
ANKARA – Anadolu Agency
A delegation from Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) is visiting New Zealand, a party official said on March 20.
Deputy chair Ünal Çeviköz said three CHP deputies have arrived at Christchurch city where two mosques were attacked by a terrorist.
“We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand,” Çeviköz said.
“We offer condolences to all people in New Zealand,” he added.
“We hope the world will learn the necessary lessons from the terrorist attack and no other massacres, pain would be experienced again,” Çeviköz said.
The deputies visited the injured people in the hospital and placed a wreath at Al Noor and Linwood mosques.
They were accompanied by a committee from Australia and New Zealand.
At least 50 people were killed when a terrorist opened fire on worshippers during Friday prayers on March 15.
About as many were injured with several still in critical condition.
Parliamentary group to visit NZ
Meanwhile, a Turkish parliamentary commission will visit New Zealand to show solidarity with the victims of the March 15 terror attacks at Christchurch mosques, the head of the commission said on March 19.
“We will pay an examination visit to New Zealand to show solidarity with the victims of the inhumane massacre and the New Zealand government who approached the incident with a common sense worth of appreciation,” Hakan Çavuşoğlu, the head of Turkish Parliament's Human Rights Commission, said in a statement.
Turkey would continue to fight against anti-Islam hate remarks and extend solidarity with local Muslims from Austria to Australia, Çavuşoğlu said.
Recalling the massacre of 50 people, including women and children, in Christchurch on March 15 in two mosques, Çavuşoğlu condemned the attacks and extended good wishes for the injured.
He said the growing Islamophobia worldwide has left the UN and EU values of human rights unanswered for the Muslims.
He urged for defining anti-Islam acts as crime against humanity, just like anti-Semitism.