Wendake, QC, April 1, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The equal application of the law for all is a basic principle that should never be questioned. "These new alleged cases of abuse of Aboriginal women by the Sûreté du Québec police officers revealed by the Enquête television program demonstrate that the system is sick. It is up to the Quebec Premier and the Minister of Public Security to take the only logical decision to establish remedies and to respond to an urgent and inconceivable situation. We stand behind our sisters who made these new revelations", said AFNQL Chief Ghislain Picard.
"Let us be clear: the objective of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) is to ensure that our people feel confident and safe, without exception and no matter where they reside." The responsibility that rests with the police forces and the authorities responsible for public security is to take all necessary measures to ensure that our peoples are treated fairly, with professional rigour and in a climate of absolute trust. We condemn anyone who is not in compliance with the rules of justice", he continues.
The AFNQL also reiterates its request that Quebec put in place without delay an independent inquiry into the relationship between police forces and First Nations citizens to get to the bottom of things and calls for municipal authorities, especially those neighbouring First Nations communities, to follow the example of the municipalities of Val-d'Or, Matagami, Rouyn Noranda and Chapais who adopted resolutions requesting the holding of an independent inquiry.
About the AFNQL
The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec-Labrador is the political organization of 43 Chiefs of the First Nations in Quebec and Labrador. www.apnql-afnql.com
SOURCE Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador
Mélanie Vincent: [email protected], Cell.: 418-580-4442
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