Group calls for inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women

OTTAWA – There is growing pressure on the Harper government to convene an inquest into missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls.

The Native Women’s Association of Canada is on Parliament Hill today with a petition that has 23,000 signatures on it asking the government to hold a national public inquiry.

It is estimated there are hundreds of cases of missing and murdered aboriginal women dating back to the 1960s.

A United Nations human rights investigator called that statistic disturbing last year during a fact-finding visit to Canada in which he also urged the Conservative government to hold an inquiry.

James Anaya, the UN special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, said a national inquiry would ensure a co-ordinated response to the problem and allow the families of victims to be heard.

But while the Conservatives renewed funding to combat violence against aboriginal women and girls in their recent budget, they have so far resisted calls for a formal inquiry.