Amnesty International is taking a stand as a British Columbia court upholds the convictions of three Indigenous land defenders: Sleydo’ (Molly Wickham), Shaylynn Sampson, and Corey “Jayohcee” Jocko. Their appeals against their arrests during a highly militarised raid in November 2021 were dismissed, despite the court acknowledging that their constitutional rights were indeed violated by certain Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) behaviors, including racism. Although the judge condemned the RCMP’s actions, they opted to consider reduced sentences instead of dismissing all charges, leaving the defenders facing possible imprisonment.
The organisation is currently reviewing the court’s ruling, intending to classify the three as “prisoners of conscience” if they face unjust sentences. Ketty Nivyabandi, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, expressed hope at the judge’s acknowledgment of the racism faced by the defenders but also lamented that systemic issues of racism remain largely unaddressed. Immediate action is necessary to halt the criminalisation of Indigenous land defenders, who should not be penalised for exercising their rights and seeking to protect the environment.
France-Isabelle Langlois of Amnistie internationale Canada described the defenders’ actions as essential for combating climate change and condemned any punitive measures against them as absurd. She highlighted this decision as part of a broader trend of diminishing civic space in Canada, especially for Indigenous peoples and environmental advocates facing repression and legal challenges. It is distressing that Canadian institutions must be reminded of their obligations to uphold international human rights norms.
Amnesty International strongly denounces the actions against the Wet’suwet’en Nation in light of the Coastal GasLink pipeline project, which began construction without the required consent from Indigenous leaders. Their 2023 report demonstrates how land defenders are subjected to police raids and arrests for expressing their rights to peaceful assembly and defending their ancestral land. The legal system has charged multiple defenders under dubious injunctions that infringe upon their rights.
Sleydo’ voiced her struggles at a news conference, asserting that the judicial system fails to respect Indigenous laws or her responsibilities toward her community and land. She vowed to resist being dehumanised by colonial courts, emphasising her deep connections to her ancestors and land. Highlighting her roles within her family and community, she affirmed her commitment to upholding values passed down from generations.
Should Amnesty International label Sleydo’, Sampson and Jocko as prisoners of conscience, it will not be the first such designation. Earlier, a Wet’suwet’en land defender was recognised in similar circumstances. Ana Piquer from Amnesty reiterated that if the Canadian government wrongfully confines these defenders, the organisation will not hesitate to take a firm stand in their defence, noting the prevalent risks faced by land defenders across the Americas.
The global reaction to the criminalisation of Wet’suwet’en land defenders has engendered calls for Canada to respect Indigenous rights, with substantial public support illustrated by Amnesty’s Write for Rights campaign. Thousands hastened to pen letters and petitions urging the government to withdraw charges against these brave defenders, signifying a resounding demand for justice and recognition of Indigenous sovereignty and environmental protection.
Amnesty International responds to a B.C. court ruling that upholds convictions against three Indigenous land defenders while acknowledging violations of their rights during a police raid. The organisation is considering designating them as prisoners of conscience if they receive unjust sentences. Key figures from Amnesty call for an end to the criminalisation of Indigenous activism and emphasise the importance of protecting their rights in light of ongoing systemic racism.
Amnesty International’s commitment to the cause of Indigenous land defenders intensifies following a British Columbia court’s ruling. While acknowledging specific violations of rights during a police raid, the court’s decision to maintain convictions raises serious concerns about systemic racism in Canada. The voices of Sleydo’, Sampson, and Jocko resonate deeply as they embody the struggle for Indigenous rights and environmental preservation, drawing both national and international attention to the urgent need for justice and respect for Indigenous sovereignty.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
