PM offers condolences to New Zealand mass shooting victims

PM offers condolences to New Zealand mass shooting victims
Prime Minister, Dr. Hubert Minnis.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Bahamas stands in solidarity with the international community in rejection “in the strongest possible terms” all hate-filled supremacist ideologies, which often morph into violence, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis declared in Parliament as he offered condolences to the people of New Zealand as they grapple with the mass shootings at two mosques.

Fifty people were killed by a lone gunman using semi-automatic guns and several shotguns.

Much of the incident was recorded and broadcast via social media by the alleged perpetrator.

In a communication to Parliament, Minnis said the international community was shocked and deeply saddened by the event, which New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called an “extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence”.

“There are many others who were wounded and who will have to endure additional surgery, years of therapy and the physical and emotional scars of the terror inflicted on their bodies, minds and souls,” Minnis said.

“I know the House will join me in expressing our condolences and solidarity with the victims, their loved ones and the people of New Zealand.”

Minnis advised that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a diplomatic note after the tragedy.

The prime minister also said he sent a letter of solidarity to Ardern, “whom I had the honour and great pleasure of meeting during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London last year”.

While profusely rejecting hate-filled supremacist ideologies, including racial, ethnic, and religious, on behalf of the country, Minnis said these and other forms of supremacy is based on false notions of the superiority of some based on their circumstance of birth or the human identity.

“As a country, we uphold the inherent dignity of all citizens of the global commons made in the image and likeness of our creator,” he said.

“The international community must be ever vigilant in rejecting the violence and hatred directed against our fellow human beings because of race, ethnicity, gender, religious affiliation, economic circumstances, sexual orientation or disability.

“We stand in solidarity with the people and government of New Zealand, who are demonstrating resilience and courage in the face of extremism, hatred and great loss.

“We pray God’s guidance and comfort for them in the face of such overwhelming grief.”

About Royston Jones Jr.

Royston Jones Jr. is a senior digital reporter and occasional TV news anchor at Eyewitness News. Since joining Eyewitness News as a digital reporter in 2018, he has done both digital and broadcast reporting, notably providing the electoral analysis for Eyewitness News’ inaugural election night coverage, “Decision Now 2021”.