July 1, 2005
Mayor blames lenient court system
The violent beating of a woman in Pangnirtung last Monday was "just waiting
to happen," said mayor Jack Maniapik.
Lenient sentences for repeat offenders are contributing to violent crime, and
creating a culture of hardened criminals who don't fear punishment, Maniapik
said.
"It seems like the accused has more rights than the victim," he said.
"I heard
somebody saying Inuit are very forgiving people. It's not
necessarily true. We're like everyone. We might forgive someone a small crime
they did, but not a major crime. If somebody verbally shouts at me and if we
apologize to each other, I'll forgive whoever for that incident, but with the
violent crime, I have a hard time, and I try to be a very forgiving person,"
Maniapik said.
"I think I'm talking on behalf of all Nunavut and Nunavik, because I listen
to the radio and there's some violent crimes down there too. It looks like it's
not going to stop until we get really tough from the courts."
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