New Zealand has banned the possession and distribution of a manifesto believed to be written by the lone terrorist who carried out the March 15 Christchurch mosques carnage where 50 people were killed, officials said on Saturday.
The Office of Film and Literature Classification announcedthat the document is objectionable under the law, reports CNN.
The so-called “manifesto” of Brenton Tarrant, the28-year-old Australian charged with the massacre, spans more than 80 pages andis filled with anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rants.
“There is an important distinction to be made between’hate speech,’ which may be rejected by many right-thinking people, but whichis legal to express, and this type of publication, which is deliberatelyconstructed to inspire further murder and terrorism,” said New Zealand’sChief Censor David Shanks. “It crosses the line.”
The document was posted on social media and was sent to theoffice of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern just before the shooting began.
On Thursday, Shanks called on the public to delete anycopies, as well as online posts or links to the document.
People can also report any social media posts, links orwebsites.
“New Zealanders can all play a part in denying thosewho exhort hatred, killing and terror,” Shanks said.
“Do not support the murderous objectives of its authorby republishing or distributing it.”
Earlier this week, authorities banned footage of the fatalshootings, including edited clips and still images.