What's happened
Candace Owens has been granted a visa to enter New Zealand after an appeal overturned a previous ban. The decision, made by Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk, emphasized the importance of free speech. Owens remains barred from Australia due to controversial remarks about the Holocaust and other topics.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the Guardian, the New Zealand government reversed its initial decision to deny Owens a visa, citing the importance of free speech. Chris Penk, the associate immigration minister, stated that he considered representations made to him before granting the visa. Conversely, Australia's Immigration Minister Tony Burke previously barred Owens from entering Australia, citing her capacity to incite discord with her remarks about the Holocaust. The Independent noted that Owens' supporters view the visa approval as a victory for free speech, while critics, including the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand, have expressed concerns about her rhetoric. The New Zealand Free Speech Union praised the decision, arguing that it is dangerous for the state to selectively silence voices.
How we got here
Owens was initially denied entry to New Zealand after being barred from Australia in October for her comments regarding Nazi medical experiments. Her appeal highlighted free speech considerations, leading to the recent visa approval.
More on these topics
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New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It comprises two main landmasses—the North Island and the South Island —and around 600 smaller islands, covering a total area of 268,021 square kilometres.
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Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
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Anthony Stephen Burke is an Australian Labor Party politician serving as Manager of Opposition Business since 2013, and has served as Member of Parliament for Watson since 2004.
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Candace Amber Owens Farmer is an American conservative author, commentator, and political activist. Initially critical of President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, Owens has become known for her increasingly pro-Trump activism as a black woman, in
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Christopher Aidan Penk (born 1980) is a New Zealand politician who has been a Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives for the National Party since 2017.