Use Shafia trial as yardstick in Canada

Re: “Shafia’s relatives endorse honour-killing, report reveals,” The

Journal, Jan. 29. Today I am proud to be a Canadian. Today I am ashamed to be a Canadian.

I am proud that our justice system proved adequate in the Shafia trial; that the parents and son were found guilty of first-degree murder. I am embarrassed because our societal system wasn’t adequate enough to prevent the deaths of those four Shafia women.

I followed the trial with disgust and horror.

My heart wept for the four beautiful women who lost their lives while trying to live in our open, free society.

Will it ever happen again? What will we as Canadians do to make sure this archaic, medieval, illegal and unjust system of “discipline” never again sees daylight within our borders?

How quickly can we educate ourselves?

I’d like to see the phrase “honour-killing” banned from use in Canada. We know there is no honour in this violence against women. From this day forward, can we instead make sure we use the phrase “dishonour-killing” in its place?

As Canadians, we probably have the questionable “honour” of having had the first murder trial and eventual guilty verdict in these vile killings.

That could mean we may also have the responsibility to use it as a yardstick in dealing with any future eruption of similar family violence.

The souls of these four dead ladies would probably rest better if they knew that the next time any Canadian hears cries for help coming from female immigrants there would be someone to follow through with the situation until it can be resolved diplomatically.

We can no longer claim ignorance the next time this happens.

Perhaps, in time, the deaths of these four women may come to light the way for a better life for many Muslim women, both in Canada and abroad.

G. A. Teske, Sherwood Park

Law worked as it should

The successful prosecution of multiple first-degree murder charges against the Shafia family reinforces the fact that there is no need for specific legislation against honourkillings.

The very nature of an honourkilling falls squarely in the realm of premeditated murder and therefore is covered quite extensively through existing legislation for first-degree murder.

As well, the punishment for firstdegree murder is automatic and results in life imprisonment.

Having an aggravating factor based on a religious aspect would serve next to no purpose beyond scoring some political support.

The Shafias will more than likely spend the rest of their lives in prison, evidence enough that our justice system is more than capable of upholding our laws without needless political pandering.

Graham Adria, Edmonton