Canadian police refuse to investigate doctor for sterilizing Indigenous woman

Canadian police have declined to investigate a doctor who sterilized an Indigenous woman without her consent, according to a report by the Associated Press1. The woman, who has not been named, was sterilized by Dr. Ken Kotaska in 2018, after she gave birth to her sixth child by caesarean section1. The woman, who was 26 at the time, says she was pressured into the procedure and was not told what was happening until it was too late1. Kotaska has apologized for the sterilization, but he has not faced any criminal charges1.

The case has sparked outrage among Indigenous groups, who say it is part of a long history of forced sterilization of Indigenous women in Canada1. A report by the Canadian government in 2018 found that Indigenous women were subjected to forced sterilization in Canada as recently as 20171. The report called for an end to the practice and for reparations to be paid to the victims1.

The decision by police not to investigate Kotaska has been criticized by Indigenous leaders and human rights advocates, who say it sends a message that forced sterilization is not taken seriously1. Sen. Yvonne Boyer, who has proposed a law that would make forced sterilization a crime, said the long history of mistrust between Indigenous people and the police made it difficult for many victims to pursue criminal prosecution1. "If a police officer becomes aware of a crime being committed, they have an obligation to investigate," Boyer said. "Why would it be any different for an Indigenous woman being sterilized without consent?"1.

Key facts:

• Canadian police have declined to investigate a doctor who sterilized an Indigenous woman without her consent, according to a report by the Associated Press1.
• The woman, who has not been named, was sterilized by Dr. Ken Kotaska in 2018, after she gave birth to her sixth child by caesarean section1.
• The case has sparked outrage among Indigenous groups, who say it is part of a long history of forced sterilization of Indigenous women in Canada1.
• A report by the Canadian government in 2018 found that Indigenous women were subjected to forced sterilization in Canada as recently as 20171.
• The decision by police not to investigate Kotaska has been criticized by Indigenous leaders and human rights advocates, who say it sends a message that forced sterilization is not taken seriously1.
• Sen. Yvonne Boyer has proposed a law that would make forced sterilization a crime, but the long history of mistrust between Indigenous people and the police has made it difficult for many victims to pursue criminal prosecution1.