Anti-Islamic complaints only scratching surface

Hundreds of complaints to the Human Rights Commission indicate anti-Islamic sentiment was a significant problem prior to the Christchurch shootings.

In the five years to December 2018, there were 295 such complaints but Muslim leaders believe they only scratch the surface of negative behaviour directed at their communities.

The commission’s figures, revealed in a Stuff Official Information Act request, included both complaints and inquiries from people who were complaining about behaviour they perceived as anti-Islamic.

They also included complaints from people about the Muslim community.

Muslim women frequently bore the brunt of anti-Islamic behaviour because they wore identifiable clothing and were perceived to be easy targets, experts said.

Anjum Rahman, of the Islamic Women’s Council of New Zealand, said the number of complaints would only reflect a tiny proportion of negative behaviour directed at the Muslim community.

The council was concerned about the accuracy of data collection and whether enough research was being done to get a realistic picture of Muslim experiences in New Zealand.

‘‘It could be that there are a lot of people that are just not reporting everyday incidents and some severe incidents too.’’

Of the 295 instances taken to the commission over anti-Islamic behaviour since 2014, 106 were formal complaints alleging unlawful discrimination under the Human Rights Act.