Canada's Department of Justice has recently issued a report titled Polygyny and Canada's Obligations under International Human Rights Law. [Note: "Polygyny" is the correct technical term when referring only to men taking multiple wives. The more common term "polygamy" encompasses both polygyny and polyandry.] Described in the Oct. 25 issue of Today's Family News, the report, written by University of Toronto law professor Rebecca Cook, contends that Canada is violating international human rights law by failing to enforce its legal prohibitions on polygyny. In particular, various human rights treaties to which Canada is a party prohibit discrimination of any kind against women. Responding to the argument that the prohibition of polygamy would violate the protection of religious freedom found in Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the report noted the distinction between regulating beliefs and regulating religious practices: "While Canada is not entitled under international law to restrict religious belief, it is entitled and in fact obliged in some circumstances to restrict religious practices that undermine the rights and freedoms of others."
Meanwhile in Utah, Communities In Harmony-- an organization of groups that practice polygamy-- has sent out questionnaires to candidates running for political office in Utah seeking their views on polygamy. The organization then rated the candidates for Congress, the Utah Legislature, the judiciary and Salt Lake County district attorney as either "open minded" or "negative". A report by the Associated Press yesterday says many candidates failed to respond to the poll. Wednesday's Salt Lake Tribune also has a story on the poll, and has linked to the Voter Guide online.
