A U.S. jury in North Dakota has stunned many by ordering Greenpeace to pay $660 million to Energy Transfer, citing defamation linked to protests against the Dakota Access pipeline. Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, warns that this verdict severely threatens freedom of speech and peaceful protest, jeopardising the future of Greenpeace and the rights of environmental and Indigenous activists globally, potentially silencing those exposing corporate wrongdoings.
Callamard describes Energy Transfer’s legal actions as a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP), which tends to deter freedom of expression by subjecting organisations to lengthy and costly legal battles while draining their resources. She notes that while SLAPP suits aren’t new, their increasing frequency has targeted human rights defenders, inhibiting advocacy for climate justice. North Dakota’s lack of protective anti-SLAPP laws has allowed this troubling case to proceed.
This verdict not only punishes Greenpeace but could also dissuade Indigenous Peoples actively fighting for climate and environmental justice. Amnesty International has consistently championed the rights of Indigenous communities to protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline, underscoring their need for meaningful consultation and impact assessments concerning their land and resources.
The ramifications of fossil fuel projects like the Dakota Access pipeline reach beyond Indigenous groups; they impose global risks. Urgent action is needed to phase out fossil fuel reliance to prevent catastrophic climate outcomes, according to scientific consensus. The need for a unified stance against corporate interests harming both the planet and humanity has never been clearer.
A jury in North Dakota has ordered Greenpeace to pay $660 million to Energy Transfer for defamation related to Dakota Access pipeline protests. Agnès Callamard of Amnesty International warns this threatens freedom of speech and might deter activism for climate justice and Indigenous rights, particularly given North Dakota’s absence of anti-SLAPP protections.
The verdict against Greenpeace in North Dakota not only imposes a hefty financial penalty but also sets a concerning precedent for freedom of expression and protest. This situation threatens the operational capability of Greenpeace and puts Indigenous and climate activists at risk, as it stifles their voices in the fight against corporate greed and environmental degradation. Collective action and protective legislation are crucial to ensure the rights of those defending our planet.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
