Murdered and missing aboriginal women report 'groundbreaking,' advocates say
Advocates for a public inquiry into murdered and missing aboriginal women and girls are welcoming as "groundbreaking" an investigation into the issue by an international human rights commission.
The Inter-American Commission, which is affiliated with the Organization of American States, has been studying the issue for more than two years.
The investigation was requested by the Native Women's Association of Canada and Feminist Alliance for International Action in March 2012.
At a press conference in Ottawa to respond to the report, Dr. Dawn Harvard of the NWAC called it "truly groundbreaking."
"This report is the first in-depth examination of the murders and disappearances by an expert human rights body. These women and girls are being stolen from our families, from our communities, and it is time that somebody is taking it seriously," Harvard said.
Holly Johnson, of the Feminist Alliance for International Action, said the commission has spoken "loudly and clearly."
"Canadian governments have a lot of work to do," she said. "Contrary to our prime minister's assertion, this is not a sociological phenomenon ... [It] goes way beyond policing. Social and economic factors must also be addressed."
The report includes recommendations on how governments at both the federal and provincial/territorial level can address the situation.
The Conservative government has so far refused calls for a national public inquiry on the issue, saying it is more interested in taking action. Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in reaction to the recent murder case of Tina Fontaine that it was not part of a "sociological phenomenon," but rather a crime and should be treated as such.
But the federal government has agreed to attend a roundtable meeting after Canada's premiers emerged from their annual meeting in August calling for a national forum. It's expected to be held in February.
http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/politics/m...report-groundbreaking-advocates-say-1.2897707
Advocates for a public inquiry into murdered and missing aboriginal women and girls are welcoming as "groundbreaking" an investigation into the issue by an international human rights commission.
The Inter-American Commission, which is affiliated with the Organization of American States, has been studying the issue for more than two years.
The investigation was requested by the Native Women's Association of Canada and Feminist Alliance for International Action in March 2012.
At a press conference in Ottawa to respond to the report, Dr. Dawn Harvard of the NWAC called it "truly groundbreaking."
"This report is the first in-depth examination of the murders and disappearances by an expert human rights body. These women and girls are being stolen from our families, from our communities, and it is time that somebody is taking it seriously," Harvard said.
Holly Johnson, of the Feminist Alliance for International Action, said the commission has spoken "loudly and clearly."
"Canadian governments have a lot of work to do," she said. "Contrary to our prime minister's assertion, this is not a sociological phenomenon ... [It] goes way beyond policing. Social and economic factors must also be addressed."
The report includes recommendations on how governments at both the federal and provincial/territorial level can address the situation.
The Conservative government has so far refused calls for a national public inquiry on the issue, saying it is more interested in taking action. Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in reaction to the recent murder case of Tina Fontaine that it was not part of a "sociological phenomenon," but rather a crime and should be treated as such.
But the federal government has agreed to attend a roundtable meeting after Canada's premiers emerged from their annual meeting in August calling for a national forum. It's expected to be held in February.
http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/politics/m...report-groundbreaking-advocates-say-1.2897707
