Amnesty’s decision to send a delegation of human rights observers was based on a number of factors. There have been reports of increasing tension between Indigenous rights protestors and law enforcement, including the arrest of activists related to the construction site. North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple authorized a restricted emergency declaration, with the stated intent to provide additional resources to manage public safety risks associated with the protests. A roadblock was established, restricting direct traffic to the protest site (and, consequently, to the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation). Those gathered reported low-flying planes over the camp and increased police presence. Authorities removed state-owned relief resources and water tanks from the camps. Citing fear that peaceful assembly could be threatened by state and federal police, tribes issued a call for human rights observers.
All these factors led to AIUSA’s decision to send a human rights observer delegation to monitor the gathering of Indigenous rights defenders and police response to ensure that the government not only respects and protects the rights of those gathered—not violating their rights to peaceful assembly and peaceful protest and ensuring others don’t either—but also fulfills these rights, taking positive action to facilitate the enjoyment of basic human rights. You can read our press releases and letters to the authorities here and here.
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Also see:
- President Obama: Stop the Dakota Access Pipeline from 350.org, ONLINE PETITION
- Rising In Solidarity Against the Exploitation of Mother Earth by the Dakota Access Pipeline By Jessica Montoya, One Billion Rising
- Demand Legal Action Against People Who Attacked North Dakota Access Pipeline Land Protectors, ONLINE PETITION
