2012:03 MURDERED AND MISSING ABORIGINAL WOMEN
Whereas 1
the Government of Canada has failed to respond adequately under its obligations as signatory to both the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women and Girls (CEDAW) and the Optional Protocol, and to the UN Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (UNCESCR), with regard to alleged violations of the rights of the 500 missing and murdered aboriginal women and girls identified during the last 20 years; and
Whereas 2
a joint appeal by the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) and the Feminist Alliance for the International Advancement of Women (FAFIA) to the CEDAW Committee resulted in their decision in December 2011 to conduct an official inquiry; and
Whereas 3
the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) and the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) signed a Declaration of Solidarity at the NCWC Annual General Meeting in June 2011; and
Whereas 4
members of the Aboriginal community have been trying for years to get the Government of Canada to investigate the individual cases vigorously, to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice, as well as to take strong decisive measures to end systemic violence against aboriginal women and girls; and
Whereas 5
the Native Women’s Association of Canada has found that overlapping and unclear jurisdictional divisions among the RCMP, the First Nations, municipal and provincial police forces have impeded effective resolution of some cases; therefore be it
Resolved 1
that the National Council of Women of Canada adopt as policy that the cases of the missing and murdered aboriginal women be solved quickly and the systemic violence against Aboriginal women and girls be eliminated; and be it further
Resolved 2
that the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to set up without delay a Special Task Force composed of officers of the RCMP, and members of provincial, municipal and First Nations police forces throughout Canada, to:
a. investigate the unsolved and emerging cases of missing and murdered aboriginal women;
b. react quickly and cooperatively to resolve these cases;
c. bring the perpetrators to justice and closure to their families; and
d. address systemic violence that affects aboriginal communities in order to create a safer environment for all; and be it further
Resolved 3
that National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to restore funding for the “Sisters in Spirit” project.