FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 19, 2013

OTTAWA – New Democrats are condemning the Conservatives for claiming to take violence against Aboriginal women seriously, while repeatedly rejecting UN recommendations for a comprehensive national review on the issue.

Today, a Conservative government envoy dismissed criticisms of its approach from the UN Human Rights Council.

“It’s shocking that Canada refuses to act to end violence against Indigenous women,” said NDP Status of Women critic Niki Ashton (Churchill). “It is time for the Conservatives to tackle systemic issues facing Indigenous peoples and establish a nation-to-nation relationship.”

In May, Ashton introduced a motion calling for a national inquiry and an action plan to end violence against women.

“Violence against Aboriginal women is a crisis in Canada,” said NDP Aboriginal Affairs critic Jean Crowder (Nanaimo-Cowichan). “Until the Conservatives accept their responsibilities outlined by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, we cannot move forward in a positive and meaningful way.”