Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act (Craven Pandering to the Conservative Base and Anti-Muslim Sentiment Act) controversial for more than its title

2014/12/10 1 Comment

The risks of a simplistic bumper sticker approach to complex family dynamics, not to mention existing laws that can be used:

“Prevention, not prohibition,” exhorted Deepa Mattoo, Acting Executive Director of the South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario.

Mattoo argued that there is existing law that can be applied to forced marriage situations such as assault, kidnapping and duress statutes and that instead of jumping the gun on criminalizing forced marriage, more research and education needs to be done.

Mattoo said there exists some protection that young women can take advantage of, but public education is lacking. For example if a young woman contacts the clinic because she suspects that her family vacation may lead to a forced marriage, she can contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Development so she can be monitored.

The other issue to keep in mind is that this law deals with young women, who are under the protection of their parents.

She said in her experience women who come forward seeking help don’t necessarily want to have to go to court against their parents. Eighty per cent of her clients reunite with their families in some way.

“They do not want their families to be criminalized,” said Mattoo.

Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act controversial for more than its title (pay wall)

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Toronto election is missing a racial equity perspective | Toronto Star

2014/08/05 Leave a comment

The activist perspective on the upcoming Toronto municipal elections:

What’s more, we need leaders who are willing and able to put racial equity at the core of their campaign. This would mean, among other things, supporting employment equity at the city level and having a concrete plan for implementation; committing to inclusionary zoning and the expansion of affordable housing development; embracing the collection, analysis and use of disaggregated data by the city for all of its programs and services, including Toronto Police Services; and pushing for the extension of the municipal franchise to all city residents regardless of their immigration status.

It would indeed be a sorry state of affairs if Torontonians were to cast their ballots on Oct. 27 based solely on which candidate has the fewest skeletons in her or his closet.

As the most diverse city in North America, Toronto desperately needs a leader who can demonstrate true understanding and commitment to the city’s motto, “Diversity Our Strength,” with a plan to promote respect for equality, including an economic platform that is equitable, inclusive and sustainable.

Toronto election is missing a racial equity perspective | Toronto Star.

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