Call for the UN Special Rapporteur to visit Standing Rock

11 September 2016

Māori human rights activist calls on the UN Special Rapporteur to visit Standing Rock

A statement has been prepared by the Ocheti Sakowin Camp Observers calling on all Human Rights organisations, in particular the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz to visit the sacred site of Standing Rock and speak directly with those most affected by the recent dog attacks unleashed on peaceful protectors. Māori lawyer and human rights activist Kingi Snelgar is at the site providing advice and support as much as he can.

“This is history repeating itself when activists were attacked by dogs 51 years ago in Selma in 1965 by state troopers with billy clubs and tear gas shot into the crowds. The same inhuman tactics of warfare happened here at Standing Rock. This is a gross breach of indigenous human rights on the water protectors of these lands as women and children were physically attacked by hired security armed with dogs and pepper spray devices” says Kingi Snelgar.

“This excessive use of police and security force on peaceful protectors of indigenous peoples exercising their rights over their lands, resources and territories is exactly what happened to our peoples of Parihaka, Maungapōhatu, Whakatōhea and Tūhoe where a governor and government hell-bent on hunting down our emancipatory leaders like Tohu and Te Whiti, Rua Kenana, and Te Kooti like criminals for organising movements of resistance, faith and order to protect our tribal lands. As a consequence the government confiscated all our lands, persecuted our people and wrongfully arrested our ancestors like Mokomoko and Rua Kenana. The people of my tribe still suffer from historical trauma today” says Te Ringahuia Hata, also a Māori rights activist documenting the #NoDAPL movement.

“So I totally support the stance of the Great Sioux Nation and having our nephew Kingi Snelgar who is a descendant of Mokomoko, there to fly the flag and show solidarity reminds the world of the racist and oppressive tactics of greedy investors and their bankers that are financing the deals at the expenses of native lives - history all indigenous peoples can relate to right now” Te Ringahuia comments.

Kingi posted a copy of the statement on face book today that reads:

“Kia ora all, Kevin T. Hart, Isobel Michelle Monroe and I have put together a short statement as human rights observers here at the Ocheti Sakowin Camp. We highlight the dog attacks, use of mace and the desecration of sacred sites on Saturday last week by Dakota Access and its hired security force. We call for accountability and justice for those that suffered physically and spiritually. Please circulate this. Kingi Snelgar”

ENDS

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