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I just took the floor at the United Nations to ask why their Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women decided this year to investigate #Canada.
My speech: "Madam Rapporteur, we congratulate you on the 25th anniversary of this UN mandate, which has the significant power..."
My speech: "Madam Rapporteur, we congratulate you on the 25th anniversary of this UN mandate, which has the significant power..."
"...to put the most pressing situations of violence against women on the world agenda.
This year, out of all the countries in the world, you chose to investigate Canada. The previous year, it was Australia...."
This year, out of all the countries in the world, you chose to investigate Canada. The previous year, it was Australia...."
"We have three questions:
1. How do you choose which countries to examine? What is your methodology? Let me be clear: Violence against women exists everywhere and must be combated everywhere. But if one puts victims first, then, based on logic and morality..."
1. How do you choose which countries to examine? What is your methodology? Let me be clear: Violence against women exists everywhere and must be combated everywhere. But if one puts victims first, then, based on logic and morality..."
"...should you not select countries based on the severity of violations, and how many people are affected?
2. Would you not agree, based on any measure, that Canada is one of the least problematic countries in the world when it comes to violence against women?"
2. Would you not agree, based on any measure, that Canada is one of the least problematic countries in the world when it comes to violence against women?"
"Government bodies are committed, there are numerous organizations active on this issue, and the democratic system allows voices to be heard...."
"3. Are you aware that Canada is actually a refuge for women around the world fleeing state-sponsored, gross and systematic discrimination and violence against women, including from Iran and Saudi Arabia?"
"In Iran, women’s rights lawyers are jailed. Shaparak Shajarizadeh was arrested for removing her headscarf and for leading protests for women’s rights. She was jailed in Evin prison, beaten and sent to solitary confinement. She managed to flee Iran. Canada granted her asylum."
"In Saudi Arabia, women’s rights activists are tortured. 18-year-old Rahaf Mohammed escaped her family which abused her and threatened to kill her for leaving Islam, a capital offense under Saudi law. A few days later, she was granted asylum by Canada."
"Is there any reason why you refuse to investigate Iran and Saudi Arabia, two of the worst places in the world when it comes to violence against women?"
"At best, your choice to investigate Canada implies that all countries are the same—that those with blots on the system are the same as those where the blot is the system.
Thank you, Mr,. President."
Thank you, Mr,. President."
