Humanist Society speakers should not be discriminated
against for political views
MONDAY 23 JULY 2018 FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Speakers planning to attend the upcoming
International Humanist and Ethical Union conference in early
August should be given an assurance that their visa problems
are not due to their political views, says the Free Speech
Coalition.
Free Speech Coalition spokesperson Dr David
Cumin says, "Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway needs
to confirm that the views and opinions of the speakers
seeking to attend the conference haven't in any way
prejudiced their applications for visas, and that the
problems are solely related to the normal thresholds applied
under immigration law. The response of the Minister to Ms
Southern's application is exemplary and a similar approach
should be taken to these speakers."
"In general, Freedom
of Speech mean that New Zealanders should be allowed to hear
this group of speakers. No government official should be
allowed to discriminate against any person on the grounds of
political opinion."
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