Investigate it, Stop it, Ensure justice
Amnesty International is advocating alongside partner organizations to end forced and coerced sterilization of Indigenous peoples in Canada. We are calling on government to do three things: investigate it, stop it, and ensure justice for survivors.
Canadian and international media are reporting on the ongoing practice of coerced of forced sterilizations of Indigenous women in Canada. Here’s what you need to know.
What is forced sterilization and coerced sterilization?
Forced sterilization is when a person is sterilized (via tubal ligation) without their knowledge or informed consent.
“Sterilization under coercion” is when people give their consent for the procedure, but on the basis of incorrect information (i.e. women being told the procedure is reversable) or other coercive tactics such as intimidation or that conditions are attached to sterilization, such as financial incentives or access to health services.
Forced and coerced sterilizations are a form of gender-based violence and torture.
Get involved
Sign our online petition to the government of Canada
Write a letter to provincial and territorial health ministers
Learn more
Interview with leading expert Alisa Lombard
Joint civil society statement to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sterilizing women without consent is torture, says UN Committee
Amnesty International Submission to Senate Human Rights Committee on Sterilization without Consent
Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights report on forced and coerced sterilization
Where to disclose
If you are an Indigenous woman in Canada and you have been sterilized without your free, full, and informed consent, and you want to confidentially disclose what happened to you, you may wish to contact Semaganis Worm Lombard Law, the Indigenous law firm leading the proposed class action law suit representing Indigenous women who were sterilized without their consent. See Semaganis Worme Lombard Law website for details. You can fill out their online form, and an Indigenous woman lawyer will contact you by phone. Health supports are available from Hope for Wellness Helpline.
Further reading
Amended statement of claim, proposed class action law suit, Saskatchewan
UN Committee Against Torture, recommendations to Canada
House of Commons Standing Committee on Health letter to Cabinet Ministers, July 2019
Hashtags
#DefendConsent #ForcedSterilizations
