Feb 13, 2018
Senator Murray Sinclair on the Boushie affair:
“I grieve for the youth who now see no hope, and whose hunger for justice gives rise to anger. I grieve for the children whose lives now have one more jeopardy. I may grieve for some time. But then again… we have been grieving a long time. This is why we can’t ‘just get over it and move on.’ My country won’t let me.” United Church Observer http://www.ucobserver.org/society/2018/02/murray_sinclair/
The Conversation – David MacDonald, National Newswatch
‘Clearing the plains’ continues with the acquittal of Gerald Stanley
Here is a sobering and contextualized reflection on the murder trial of Gerald Stanley. Stanley was acquitted of killing Colten Boushie, a young Indigenous person. Following the verdict, the Indigenous community expressed its outrage and politicians are now trying to understand whether and how there may have been a miscarriage of justice in the not guilty verdict. https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2018/02/12/clearing-the-plains-continues-with-the-acquittal-of-gerald-stanley/#.WoF6PiXwaUl Related article: Toronto Star – Shree Paradkar Our reaction to injustice for Colten Boushie is a reflection of our soul as individuals and Canadians https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2018/02/10/our-reaction-to-injustice-is-a-reflection-our-soul-as-individuals-and-canadians.html Related article: CBC News – Aaron Wherry In the angry wake of Colten Boushie’s death, Justin Trudeau tries to find the words – ‘We have come to this point as a country far too many times,’ Trudeau says http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/colten-boushie-trudeau-analysis-wherry-1.4530721 Related article: National Newswatch – Lee Berthiaume Tories accuse PM of ‘political interference’ after comments on Boushie case https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2018/02/12/tories-accuse-pm-of-political-interference-after-comments-on-boushie-case/#.WoDM5iXwaUk Related article – Toronto Star – Jamie Watt Toronto police culture still harms LGBTQ community https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2018/02/11/toronto-police-culture-still-harms-lgbtq-community.html Related article: CBC News – Catharine Tunney and Marc-André Cossette Trudeau to meet with Boushie family after not guilty verdict prompts wave of anger – Relatives of Colten Boushie want changes to justice system after Gerald Stanley found not guilty in his death http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/boushie-verdict-ottawa-parliament-meeting-1.4530880
Human Rights Watch – Kriti Sharma and Amy Braunschweiger
Interview: The Horror of Australia’s Prisons – Prisoners with Disabilities Serving Time in Solitary, Face Physical, Sexual Abuse
The study of Australia’s prisons around solitary confinement and the treatment of disabled inmates is downright shocking to even seasoned observers. The disabled includes those inmates with physical, cognitive or mental disabilities and the report’s description of daily incidents is brutal. The human rights advocates are saying that out of a general population with 18% disabled, there are over 50% disabled in prison. The prisons also have an inmate known as a “carer” who paid employment involves care of the disabled inmates. https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/02/06/interview-horror-australias-prisons Related article: Human Rights Watch: Iran: Three Child Offenders Executed https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/02/07/iran-three-child-offenders-executed Related article: In Justice Today – Raven Raika, Harvard University 13-Year-Old Charged with First-Degree Murder in Oklahoma Faces Life in Prison https://injusticetoday.com/13-year-old-charged-with-first-degree-murder-in-oklahoma-faces-life-in-prison-c4cded31569f
The Intercept (UK) – Glenn Grenwald
Citing U.S. Prison Conditions, British Appeals Court Refuses to Extradite Accused Hacker Lauri Love to the U.S.
A British Court has refused a US extradition requests on the grounds that the US prison system is not able “to humanely and adequately treat his medical and mental health ailments. Extradition to the U.S., the court ruled, would be “oppressive by reason of his physical and mental condition.” The case involves an accused British hacker, Lauri Love, aged 33. https://theintercept.com/2018/02/06/citing-u-s-prison-conditions-british-appeals-court-refuses-to-extradite-accused-hacker-lauri-love-to-the-u-s/?utm_source=In+Justice+Today+Newsletter&utm_campaign=eb2ce61085-&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0331e33901-eb2ce61085-53434667
A Note from Smart Justice:
SJNC has been approached to help get the word out to prospective Canadian applicants for this upcoming 4-year position with the Judicial Reform and Institutional Strengthening (JURIST) project in the Caribbean. The project also has the need for occasional short-term consultants.
From Mark Stiles, Global Affairs Canada:
The Judicial Reform and Institutional Strengthening (JURIST) project, which is implemented by the Caribbean Court of Justice in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, http://www.juristproject.org/, will soon be looking for a director to replace the current director who is returning to Canada for family health reasons. The project is likely to continue for another 4 years. In my role as monitor, I am helping to facilitate the recruitment process and I thought your network might be a good resource to get the word out to prospective Canadian applicants. I expect the terms of reference for the position to be available within the next few weeks. I believe the CCJ will be looking for someone with a strong legal background –someone who can relate to the Chief Justices of the region — combined with excellent management skills and an understanding of development assistance.
J. Mark Stiles, MA Ed, CE
Monitor of IMPACT Justice & JURIST Projects for Global Affairs Canada
Stiles Associates Inc
8A Osborne Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1S 4Z9
CANADA tel 613-730-2966 cell 613-858-6060