Family of Brian Sinclair, ignored to death for 34 hours in a Manitoba hospital, reports Human Rights Violations to United Nations

WINNIPEG, June 11 – Today, the Sinclair family has communicated its concerns about official violations of the late Brian Sinclair’s human rights, and the ongoing marginalization and exclusion of the Sinclair family in the context of an upcoming inquest, to four human rights Special Rapporteurs of the United Nations in Geneva. (The Communications to the UN human rights officers can be downloaded at www.eponymedia.com/ignoredtodeathmanitoba)The Government of Manitoba is excluding the Sinclair Family’s full participation in the upcoming inquest. Government parties will be fully represented by teams of well-paid lawyers for the duration of the inquest. But the government insists the Sinclairs accept discriminatorily inferior and inadequate funding. This may prevent them from participating at all.

“The marginalization and discrimination that likely caused Brian Sinclair’s death is continuing,” said Robert Sinclair, a spokesperson for the Family. “We believe this is unjust and will prevent the inquest from being fair and proper.”

In September 2008, Brian Sinclair, a homeless, disabled, Aboriginal, vulnerable man, sought urgent care at a Winnipeg, Manitoba hospital emergency department. He was told to wait in the waiting room. For 34 hours, he was neglected and ignored, and given no food, water, or medical attention. As a result, he died.

For further information: Vilko Zbogar, Orkin Barristers, (416) 855-6710 or (416) 668-8455