Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner, Giridharan Sivaraman, has urged communities to embrace compassion and reject division, following two stabbing attacks in Sydney this week.

Sivaraman extended his condolences to all affected by the attack at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, and the deadly stabbings at Westfield Bondi Junction.

“Like the rest of the country, I have been left numb and broken by the tragic events that have occurred,” Sivaraman said. “My heart goes out to the victims, their families, friends and wider communities, and anyone struggling after what’s been [a] horrific few days.”

Sivaraman said he was heartened by the national show of support already being offered to the victims, but is concerned by the reports of racism, divisive rhetoric, and mis and disinformation around the attacks.

“These are difficult and distressing times. Emotions are understandably high, but it is important we ensure it does not spill over into an angry or hateful response,” Sivaraman said.

“With incidents of the nature that we have seen, there is a heightened risk of racism. Following the Bondi tragedy, I was very concerned by the antisemitic and Islamophobic commentary that flooded parts of social media – as some, ignorantly or even malevolently, attempted to wrongly apportion blame for the attacks.

“Communities shouldn’t be tarred by the actions of individuals. There is no place in our country, or anywhere, for racism of any kind. I urge all Australians to reject those who try to divide us and find ways, in our common humanity, to rise above.”