{"id":264460,"date":"2021-03-08T15:31:25","date_gmt":"2021-03-08T19:31:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/?p=264460"},"modified":"2021-03-08T15:32:08","modified_gmt":"2021-03-08T19:32:08","slug":"women-of-workers-condemn-acts-of-violence-against-women-and-call-for-universal-respect-of-their-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/homepage\/homepage-carousel\/women-of-workers-condemn-acts-of-violence-against-women-and-call-for-universal-respect-of-their-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"Women of Workers condemn acts of violence against women and call for universal respect of their rights"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Top: Jno Finn, Sanford; Bottom: Joseph, Williams, Emmanuel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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<\/sup> 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, \u201cit is concerned about allegations of excessive force against demonstrators in Dominica.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In Article 2 of the Code of Conduct for law enforcement officials adopted by the UN general Assembly- states that \u201cIn the performance of their duty, law enforcement officials shall respect and protect human dignity and maintain and uphold the human rights of all persons. <\/em><\/strong>The resolution further states, \u201cNo law enforcement official may inflict, instigate or tolerate any acts of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

On March 8, 2021, women all over the world are celebrating International Women\u2019s Day under the theme, \u201cWomen in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world\u201d.<\/strong> \u00a0We the women in leadership challenge all manner of injustices and call all women to action, to create awareness about women\u2019s rights, women\u2019s 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 \u201cachieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls\u201d.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Women of the United Workers Party call on the Ministers responsible for National Security, Gender Affairs, and Children at Risk to:<\/p>\n