"We are not opposed to energy independence, economic development, or national security concerns but we must ensure that these decisions are made with the considerations of our Indigenous peoples." - Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
In December, the US Army Corps of Engineers announced that it would review alternative routes that would allow the Dakota Access Pipeline to be diverted around Lake Oahe and the potential risks and impacts of an oil spill. Responding to the announcement, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe said,
"In a system that has continuously been stacked against us from every angle, it took tremendous courage to take a new approach to our nation-to-nation relationship, and we will be forever grateful."
Now, however, following U.S. President Trump's presidential memorandum to support the pipeline, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have granted an easement to allow the Dakota Access Pipeline to be completed.
Join Amnesty International in urging President Trump to uphold the US government's obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill the human rights of Indigenous peoples like the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, including the right to access clean water and the right to peaceful protest.
Dear President Trump,
I am deeply concerned by your decision to issue an executive action advancing the completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other Indigenous Peoples have expressed serious concerns about the harm the pipeline could do to access to clean water, a healthy environment, their sacred sites and other human rights. These concerns must not be ignored.
I urge you in the strongest terms possible to:
- Respect the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' decision to carry out an environmental impact study of the pipeline, taking into account Indigenous Peoples' concerns
- Commit to respect the right to peaceful protest at Standing Rock and everywhere else;
- Ensure that the Department of Justice opens an investigation into allegations of excessive force by authorities against people opposed to the Dakota Access Pipeline;
- Reform U.S. law and policy to ensure that the federal government seeks the free, prior and informed consent of tribes before any such projects are approved in the future.
[Your comments here]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
