The two reports on the contraception case have taken longer than expected to translate, Naalakkersuisut states in a press release. For this reason, among other things, the publication is further postponed.
Was it genocidewhen 4,500 Greenlandic girls and women were given IUDs, many without consent? And were there violations of human rights in the same forbearance?
These are some of the questions that an expert group has looked at in the expert study of the human rights aspects of the contraception case and other contraceptive practices from the 1960s to the present day.
But the public must arm themselves with patience before hearing the experts’ answers.
The publication of the two reports has been extremely delayed – with good reason, writes Naalakkersuisut in a press release.
The delay is due, among other things, to the fact that the translation process of the reports has required far more time and resources than first expected, writes Naalakkersuisut.
This is due to the high professional legal quality of the reports, which challenges the translation process. The reports must be published in both Greenlandic, Danish and English.
The reason there are two reports is that the expert group split in two due to disagreements about professional approach. Both groups of delivered a report to Naalakkersuisut.
In addition, the reports are currently undergoing peer review, which entails a follow-up with the experts afterwards. This goes on alongside the whole complex on the translation part.
– It is most important to honor the women
Therefore, the responsible naalakkersuisoq has assessed on behalf of Naalakkersuisut that it is necessary to postpone the publication until all the work is finished.
– Naalakkersuisut is very sorry to once again have to postpone the publication of the reports, but we have assessed that more time is needed for the proper handling and the aftermath that comes with a peer review. Terrible things have happened, and the Naalakkersuisut are very aware of that. Therefore, it is also based on treating the women who are concerned properly and with the seriousness of the matter in mind that we choose this, says naalakkersuisoq for children, young people, the area of justice and equality, Mariane Paviasen Jensen (IA).
She continues to say that they risk big mistakes if they rush too much. Naalakkersuisut would like to clarify that the reports are not withheld on purpose and with nefarious intentions.
– The most important thing is to honor the painful experiences of the women, some of whom were girls at the time, and to honor their stories, that we work seriously on the matter, we cannot prioritize following the politicians’ wishes and work hastily. It is the injured who are the most important here, and from the beginning to the end of the case, it is exactly them who should be the most important. Everyone must respect that, she says.
Naalakkersuisut therefore now expects that the reports will only be published at the end of August, when Mariane Paviasen Jensen will hold a press conference and present the conclusions in the reports.
Before publication, the reports must be presented to Naalakkersuisut and Inatsisartut.
