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The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) on Monday called for an independent investigation into the alleged use of excessive force by Canadian police against a Black defense lawyer. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Canadian Bar Association issued a similar appeal last Thursday.
On January 23, Sudine Riley, a Black woman lawyer, was conducting her legal work in an interview room at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Oshawa. At the time, uniformed officers reportedly challenged her presence, followed by excessive force, including slamming her head on the desk and placing a knee on her neck and back. The officers’ handling of her also reportedly caused her headscarf to be ripped off and her skirt to be raised. Riley suffered a head bleed and swollen eyes after the reported violence. She was later detained. Her lawyer, Neha Chugh, said she had not committed any offense except being a Black woman practising law.
Several rights groups highlighted that the incident called into question the ability of lawyers to represent their clients without fear of intimidation or violence.
According to the Durham Regional Police Service, they arrested and charged Riley for trespassing on the same day. In response to the allegations, the police said they had notified the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU). However, the SIU has decided not to pursue an investigation. Pursuant to its empowering statute, the agency enjoys the power to investigate if a police officer caused the death or serious injury of a person, discharged a firearm or committed sexual assault.
In another statement, the police said they had referred the allegations of excessive force to the York Regional Police for a criminal investigation. Both the Criminal Lawyers’ Association (CLA) and the BCCLA voiced concerns over the impartiality of police units investigating the incident. The CLA urged the chief of police to appoint an external investigator with expertise in human rights and anti-Black racism by invoking section 198(3) of the Community Safety and Policing Act to ensure public confidence.
Reacting to the incident, the Durham Regional Police Association (DRPA) accused some criminal defense lawyers of abandoning the principle of presumption of innocence for their self-marketing campaigns. Urging for an independent investigation, the group added:
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On January 23, Sudine Riley, a Black woman lawyer, was conducting her legal work in an interview room at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Oshawa. At the time, uniformed officers reportedly challenged her presence, followed by excessive force, including slamming her head on the desk and placing a knee on her neck and back. The officers’ handling of her also reportedly caused her headscarf to be ripped off and her skirt to be raised. Riley suffered a head bleed and swollen eyes after the reported violence. She was later detained. Her lawyer, Neha Chugh, said she had not committed any offense except being a Black woman practising law.
Several rights groups highlighted that the incident called into question the ability of lawyers to represent their clients without fear of intimidation or violence.
According to the Durham Regional Police Service, they arrested and charged Riley for trespassing on the same day. In response to the allegations, the police said they had notified the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU). However, the SIU has decided not to pursue an investigation. Pursuant to its empowering statute, the agency enjoys the power to investigate if a police officer caused the death or serious injury of a person, discharged a firearm or committed sexual assault.
In another statement, the police said they had referred the allegations of excessive force to the York Regional Police for a criminal investigation. Both the Criminal Lawyers’ Association (CLA) and the BCCLA voiced concerns over the impartiality of police units investigating the incident. The CLA urged the chief of police to appoint an external investigator with expertise in human rights and anti-Black racism by invoking section 198(3) of the Community Safety and Policing Act to ensure public confidence.
Reacting to the incident, the Durham Regional Police Association (DRPA) accused some criminal defense lawyers of abandoning the principle of presumption of innocence for their self-marketing campaigns. Urging for an independent investigation, the group added:
The BCCLA also raised a broader concern about systemic anti-Black racism in policing in Ontario, accusing the police of denying systemic racism and delaying reform by resisting race-based data collection and relying heavily on police-led investigations. In its 2024 final report, the Ontario Human Rights Commission confirmed the existence of discriminatory policing practices in Toronto, citing the overrepresentation of the Black community in street checks and use of force incidents.
The post Canada rights groups demand investigation into alleged excessive police force against Black lawyer appeared first on JURIST - News.
Continue reading...
Note: We don't have any responsibilities about this news. Its been posted here by Feed Reader and we had no controls and checking on it. And because News posted here will be deleted automatically after 21 days, threads are closed so that no one spend time to post and discuss here. You can always check the source and discuss in their site.