Milia Abrar

Milia Abrar was stabbed to death in the public bathroom of Angrigon Park on October 20th, 1998. The 21-year-old woman, born in Bangladesh, moved to Canada with her family in 1990. Milia was studying social sciences at Dawson College when she was killed. Whoever killed Milia, not only stabbed her numerous times but also poured acid on her face to disfigure her. This act is an increasingly common crime in Bangladesh at the moment. The main motivation behind acid attacks is revenge by a rejected suitor. Police believe that Milia’s killer could not accept that she did not love him.

The key suspect after two weeks of investigation agreed to take a lie detector test and failed. However, lie detector tests are inadmissible in court and police have been trying to find other grounds upon which to build their case. The suspect visited the Abrar family home where Milia lived hours before she was killed. The suspect is a free man and he is residing in Toronto. This is the only information that has been released on him to date. Police are looking for a statement from someone who has any additional information about the crime.

Milia’s family and the South Asian community have expressed much frustration about the lack of progress on the case and have urged the community to speak out. At Studio XX, we would like to voice our outrage at the horror of this crime. We also want to express our shared frustration with Milia’s family and our heartfelt sympathy. The silence around this case and others like it must be broken in an effort to create a society where women will live without fear. Finally, we would like to share a statement released by the South Asian Women’s Community Centre at Milia’s memorial service at Dawson college:
"The right to life, the right to live without fear. These were not enjoyed by Milia Abrar. We are angered by her murder and as women we want to send a clear message:
We are not property.
We will not be reduced to serving the whims and fancies of men.
We are human beings with free will.
We are collectively sending a message to whoever is responsible for this cowardly and heinous crime. And the message is this: We will not be silenced. We will not be intimidated."

Katerine

On May 12th 2001, a 17 year-old girl was found beaten and left for dead in a parking lot near the Vendome Metro Station. Her parents recognized her clothes a few days after the incident, when police released pictures of her to help identify the victim. Identified only as Katerine, the young woman was in a coma for two months. When she finally regained consciousness, she could not speak or move the right side of her body. Her recovery to date has been incredible. In August, she was moved from Notre Dame Hospital to a rehabilitation center close to her parent’s home in the Eastern Townships. Katerine is now fully aware of her surroundings, is able to hold a conversation, to move around with a walker and is going home on weekends.

Up until recently, Katerine had no recollection of her attack. She has had some flashbacks and remembers being in a car the night of the assault. The Montreal Urban Community Police are still searching for answers and hoping that with time, Katerine will be able to identify her attacker. Her recent health developments are incredibly positive and are advancing the investigation.

Sun Youth Organization has been the liaison between the family and the media, and has been supporting them throughout this difficult time. Katerine’s parents have both lost their jobs in the last two months and are in need of employment and financial help. If you can help in any way, please call Randy Mohammed at Sun Youth Organization, (514) 842-6822.

The crime in question shocked and disgusted people nationwide, not only because of its brutality and violence, but because several people working in a nearby building saw Katerine and did not call for help. Studio XX would like to voice its outrage and intolerance at this indifference. The indifference and silence that accompany violence against women have devastating consequences and we must strive as a community to break this pattern. Katerine will be celebrating her 18th birthday on December 5th. Studio XX and all the December 6th participants would like to underline this special day in her life and wish her much success, health and happiness as she journeys towards a full recovery.