Dear
Members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights:
I'm
writing to register my opposition to Conservative MP Ken Epp's private
member Bill C-484, the "Unborn Victims of Crime Act." I urge you to
please oppose this bill in Parliament.
This bill
is a backdoor attempt to re-criminalize abortion by giving fetuses a
form of legal personhood. Mr. Epp's bill is being promoted largely by
anti-abortion groups and individuals, some of whom expect to use the
law (if passed) to restrict abortion. The bill flies in the face of
Canadian legal precedent supporting the equality rights of women,
including pregnant women's sovereignty over their fetuses (Supreme
Court's Dobson vs. Dobson, 1999). Furthermore, his bill conflicts
directly with the Criminal Code, which says "A child becomes a human
being ... when it has completely proceeded, in a living state, from the
body of its mother." It would degrade the rule of law in this country
to enact a contradictory law that throws women's rights into confusion.
Although
Mr. Epp's bill exempts both abortion and pregnant women from
prosecution, similar laws in some U.S. states have been used to target
pregnant women anyway, for actions perceived to harm their fetuses (See
the website of National Advocates for Pregnant Women, at: http://advocatesforpregnantwomen.org/issues/unborn_victims_of_violence_act/) In
practice, these "feticide" laws create a dangerous slippery slope
towards the criminalizing of pregnant women for behaviours that are not
criminalized for anyone else.
As
the development manager at the North York Women’s Shelter – an
emergency shelter for abused women and children - I see the impact of
violence towards women on a daily basis. Pregnant
women are no exception from violence as I currently have two very
pregnant women living in my shelter. I'm greatly
saddened by the horrific tragedies of pregnant women being murdered by
their husbands or boyfriends. It is clear that the real issue is
domestic violence against women.
Since
homicide is a leading cause of death for pregnant could you please
advocate for more resources to reduce violence against pregnant women,
instead of supporting Mr. Epp's bill? So the women in my shelter and
others like them can be helped at their time of need.
Lastly, I
would support a law that mandates more serious penalties for third
parties who attack pregnant women. This would avoid any controversy
over abortion, and ensure that the rights of pregnant women are
respected.
I look forward to a response from you.
Sincerely,
Shamini
Selvaratnam
Development Manager
North York Women's Shelter Hope Lives Here