HRC joins protests over terror film

The Human Rights Commission has backed members of New Zealand’s Muslim community calling for a film in development about the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque attacks not to go ahead.

‘‘As a country, we have a responsibility to do all we can to ensure that Muslim New Zealanders are represented accurately in stories,’’ said chief human rights commissioner Paul Hunt.

‘‘We have an obligation to do all we can to ensure those stories come from a place of respect. It matters who is telling the stories and for whom those stories are being told, particularly when it is your story being told.‘‘

He echoed concerns raised by survivors and families of the 51 people killed in the terror attacks on March 15, 2019, particularly about a lack of consultation with the community and the ‘‘sidelining of those affected by focusing on the actions of the prime minister’’.

‘‘As the Human Rights Commission, we hear the Muslim community and we encourage others to hear them as well when they say this film should not go ahead,’’ Hunt said.

They Are Us, written and set to be directed by New Zealander Andrew Niccol and with Australian actress Rose Byrne attached to star as Jacinda Ardern, has caused division in the Muslim community. The film’s announcement was met with outrage, with survivors and victim’s families saying they had been ‘‘blindsided’’ and accusing the producers of ‘‘white saviourism’’ in concentrating on the prime minister’s response to the attacks.

Ardern herself expressed reservations about the film, saying hers was not the story to be told, and in the face of mounting criticism Kiwi producer Philippa Campbell withdrew from the project, saying she had listened to concerns and didn’t want to be involved in something that was ‘‘causing such distress’’.

The film’s lead producer, Ayman Jamal, said he was ‘‘devastated’’ by the fallout from the film’s announcement and said it would tell multiple stories, including those of the worshippers at the mosques who confronted the gunman and helped saved the lives of others.

He claimed to have consulted the Imams of both mosques targeted in the attacks, and said the consultation process would continue, with the support of the Muslim Association of Canterbury (MAC).

However, Imam Adbul Alabi Lateef of Linwood Islamic Centre said he had not contributed to the film’s development and did not support it.

Jamal has not indicated that he has plans other than to take the project to the upcoming Cannes Film Festival to search for funding, as was originally announced.

Hunt said those directly affected by the terror attacks needed to be involved in the production of any media about them.