A new report from a human rights coalition is calling on Ottawa to conduct an independent external review of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) attitude toward women.
Released on May 9, the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action reports (New window) (AFAI) that evidence of harassment and violence against women of RCMP is shocking, and their number continues to grow. According to the 56-page document, indigenous women are disproportionately affected.
” Indigenous women and girls have long been targets of sexual violence and exploitation by state actors, including the police. “
Ms Palmater accompanied the report along with Sivangi Misra, Ashley Major and Shelagh Day ofDID. It is partially funded by the Federal Ministry for Women and Gender Equality.
The association, made up of women’s human rights organizations across Canada, has compiled and reviewed news reports, public inquiries and published documents over the past decade.
Systemic discrimination
The report says they show evidence of a pattern of discrimination, harassment and attacks against women by police officers. RCMP.
L ‘DID requesting to conduct an examination to determine how the RCMP treats women as both employers and service providers.
In a statement emailed to CBC News, a spokesman for RCMP his organization said it knew the report. Ang RCMP is subject to the examinations of some external bodycontinued in the press release.
” As we have shown in the past on a variety of topics, we welcome any review that could improve our operations. While acknowledging that much more needs to be done, the RCMP became active in facilitating change. “
The report was delivered to Federal Minister for Public Security Marco Mendicino and Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality.
In an emailed statement, the Minister of Public Safety wrote: There is absolutely no room for misogyny, harassment or violence within RCMP or in Canadian society.
” There has long been a culture within RCMP which tolerates systematic inequality and which has led to misogyny, discrimination, harassment and violence in the workplace. “
The press release indicates that the ministry has initiated reforms, particularly through the creation of the Independent Harassment Resolution Center, strengthening the oversight of the Advisory Council for the management of RCMP and ensuring that the workforce RCMP better reflects the diversity in the country.
At press time, the Department for Women and Gender Equality did not respond to a request for comment.
According to Ms Palmater, the culture of misogyny and racism within RCMP was highlighted by the findings of former Supreme Court Justice Michel Bastarache in 2020, in his report on the implementation of the Merlo-Davidson settlement, on sexual harassment of employees of RCMP.
If female RCMP officers are not immune to sexual assault by male police officers, it is not surprising that marginalized Indigenous women and girls are in the same situation.said Ms. Palmater.
Defamed, monitored, criminalized
The study also cited other reports, including the last report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Killed Indigenous Women and Women, as evidence of the failure of RCMP prevent violence against Indigenous women and girls and thoroughly investigate their disappearances and deaths.
The report released Monday also indicates that defenders of ancestral indigenous territories, many of whom are women, are defamed, monitored, criminalized and subjected to violence byRCMP by arrest and forced expulsion from their territories.
These activities violate women’s right to equality and non-discrimination.said Shelagh Day, chair of the human rights committeeDID.
” Canada cannot have a credible national plan of action on violence against women or a credible national plan of action on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls while the culture of misogyny and racism in the RCMP is not removable. “
According to Senator Kim Pate, who was present at the press conference, such activities will also be noticed within the army and federal prisons.
Although there have been many efforts to try to address these issues, we see a real need for the types of accountability and stewardship calledDID launched.
Based on Ka’nhehsí text: io Deer, CBC
Source: Radio-Canada
