The Women of the United Workers Party (WOW) strongly condemn the physical assault and subsequent unlawful arrest and detention of Ms. Loretta Julien by police on Thursday March 4, 2021. Ms. Julian was among other patriotic women and men gathered near the Dominica’s Police Headquarters standing in solidarity with two young men in police custody. This incident of brutality constituted a total disregard for the constitutional respect for human life. Women ought to be valued and not subjected to this level of violence.
We are gravely concerned that the police respond to peaceful protests in Dominica with acts of force, resulting in unlawful detention of protesters and a disruption of peaceful demonstrations. Thursday March 4, was not an isolated incident. We recall similar incidences that took place in February and May 2017, and on the morning of 5th December 2019, where police officers employed excessive force. In April 2020, the United Nations Human Watch Committee under the International Covenant and Civil and Political Rights referenced Dominica in a report that states in part, “it is concerned about allegations of excessive force against demonstrators in Dominica.”
In Article 2 of the Code of Conduct for law enforcement officials adopted by the UN general Assembly- states that “In the performance of their duty, law enforcement officials shall respect and protect human dignity and maintain and uphold the human rights of all persons. The resolution further states, “No law enforcement official may inflict, instigate or tolerate any acts of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment…”
On March 8, 2021, women all over the world are celebrating International Women’s Day under the theme, “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”. We the women in leadership challenge all manner of injustices and call all women to action, to create awareness about women’s rights, women’s safety and the condemnation of all forms of harassment and violence. We are committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Goals 2030 Agenda, where Goal #5 speaks to “achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls”.
The Women of the United Workers Party call on the Ministers responsible for National Security, Gender Affairs, and Children at Risk to:
- Issue a statement condemning the acts of brutality meted out to Loretta Julian by officers of the Dominica Police Force
- Put an end to the ongoing acts of police brutality against peaceful protesters (mainly women) and allowing protesters to continue the lawful exercise of their rights to peaceful protests
- Conduct impartial, independent and transparent investigations into acts of police brutality and hold the responsible officers accountable through disciplinary actions or criminal prosecutions
- Implement reform of the policing systems and standards to prevent these recurring acts of police brutality in Dominica
We wish all women and girls in Dominica and across the world a Happy International Women’s Day 2021, and like Amy Tenney we say “The world needs strong women who will lift and build others. Who will love and be loved. Women who live bravely, both tender and fierce; women of indomitable will.”
Senator the Honourable Ernie Lawrence Jno. Finn
Senator the Honourable Anette Sandford
Senator the Honourable Francisca Joseph
Mrs. Monelle Williams Jno. Baptiste
Ms. Rosana Emmanuel
On Behalf of Women of Workers
The dedicated determined Women of this Formidable decent United Workers Party – UWP- under distinguished, committed trusted intellectual Hon. Lennox Linton will always express themselves freely and openly to “Stand Firm” in the interest of all women, all members of this well define, trusted UWP Team, and our struggling, unemployed suffering people under this Failed incompetent Fake Labour Party and Immature visionless Incompetent Labour Leader who has ruined our Economy, Agriculture, and Ignored our young people and others unemployed. Skerrit and his faked failed outdated Labour Government knows absolutely nothing of Socioeconomic development concept and is best able in creating the their most famous”Red Clinic” Bobolistic devious loyalty to those who are poor and unemployed. After 20fake Pappyshow YRS, Failed Labour government must “Go to Hell” Go to Hell” its the people’s Damn Business. Skerrit stay away from our Government. You have failed US & Our Dominica. Welcome UWP…
I don’t usually agree with everything politicians say, but in this instance, I do agree that our police are way too brutal with our civilians. They act too rough. And if it were any one of us, captain down to cook, who were to see a police officer unjustly mishandle our mother, or little brother or sister, or even our kid. God have mercy on some of them, because not every one would let this pass by idly.
This statement which draws public attention to any inhumane conduct and violence by Dominican police against women and other persons is timely and commendable..Additional action would be to bring such acts to attention of the international community and to sue when obvious violation of the law is evident
Happy International Day to All the women of Dominica. As a social worker who workers women experience violence and abuse I am pleased to see that the Women of Workers are lending their voices in support of the woman who was violently abuse by a police officer. However, I have to ask why are women organizations in Dominica are so selective in what issues they tackle. Some time ago an elderly woman was violently murdered by her partner, two months thereafter another young woman was raped and murdered by someone known to her, yet there was no outcry from any of the women groups in Dominica. Wasn’t these women’s lives mean something or are we only concern when it happens to those who support us.
Thanks for speaking out, women of class and integrity
When the leader of the United workers Party refer to women as prostitute where were you all.?.When the APP members were called all kind of names where where your voices and outrage.?Bunch of political puppets..