English

(10 November 2000) — Due to its ableist biases, the Provincial Museum of Alberta has provoked in the disability community a torrent of discussion on the concept of mercy and its portrayal. Currently, the Museum features the Anno Domini: Jesus Through the Centuries exhibition, which examines the impact of the teachings of Christ. The curators have included the Sermon on the Mount, the New Testament's equivalent of the Ten Commandments.

by Dick Sobsey

(13 June 2000) — As we in Canada approach next week's Supreme Court hearing of Robert Latimer's "Mercy Killing" of his daughter Tracy who had cerebral palsy, the old "walk a mile in his shoes" arguments are starting to resurface. This argument, commonly used in Mercy Killings, simply says that we can't judge someone's actions if we have not experienced the situations they have been in. In the Latimer case, his lawyer openly suggested this shortly after the initial arrest to build public sympathy.

For Immediate Release

June 12, 2000

On June 14th the Supreme Court will hear Robert Latimer's appeal of his conviction of second-degree murder of his 12-year-old daughter Tracy. The Council of Canadians with Disabilities along with five other organizations has jointly received intervenor status in the Court. CCD and its members have followed this case with considerable concern since Tracy's murder in 1993. Robert Latimer has twice been convicted and had his appeals denied by the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal, this appeal to the Supreme Court is the final step.

by Leslie MacLeod

(2 June 2000) — Mr. Robert Latimer will be back in the Supreme Court of Canada on June 14, 2000. He is appealing his 10 year mandatory sentence for the second degree murder of his 12 year old daughter Tracy. Many Canadians will be watching this appeal, none more anxiously than people who have disabilities.

(26 May 2000) — The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition of Ontario is concerned with the possible influence that the five year report updating Of Life and Death may have on the Latimer case being heard by the Supreme Of Life and Death is scheduled to be released on 6 June 2000.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition of Ontario is calling for the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs to do one of two things:

(19 May 2000 — This article is reprinted from SACL Dialect, Spring 2000.)

By Dick Sobsey, University of Alberta

(12 May 2000) — Research demonstrates that people with disabilities are much more likely to be victims of violence than other people are. One study, for example, published in the American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology found that twenty five per cent of people with cerebral palsy who underwent autopsy had been murdered. Although the sample is small the results are alarming.

Current research at the University of Alberta is examining the relationship between homicide and developmental disabilities.

By Dick Sobsey, University of Alberta

(12 May 2000) — Research demonstrates that people with disabilities are much more likely to be victims of violence than other people are. One study, for example, published in the American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology found that twenty five per cent of people with cerebral palsy who underwent autopsy had been murdered. Although the sample is small the results are alarming.

Current research at the University of Alberta is examining the relationship between homicide and developmental disabilities.

(April 20, 2000)

When was Tracy murdered?

Tracy was murdered on Sunday, 24 October 1993. She was 12 years old at the time of her death.

Was Tracy's disability unique?

No. Her mother testified in court that there are thousands of children in North American, and indeed all over the world, who have Cerebral Palsy like Tracy had.