WATCH Wet’suwet’en presentation to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on July 10

“We want to live free on our lands, without the constant threat of violence by C-IRG, who are illegally occupying Gidimt’en territory.” – Wet’suwet’en land defender Sleydo’. Video: Sleydo’ and Gitxsan land defender Shaylynn Sampson arrested at gunpoint by RCMP C-IRG officers on Wet’suwet’en territory on November 19, 2021.

Radio-Canada International reports (in French): “The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights will examine the treatment of Canada and British Columbia towards the Wet’suwet’en First Nation in a virtual hearing on Monday, July 10.”

“Representatives from the Wet’suwet’en First Nation will discuss the situations they faced during their opposition to the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline on their territory. In particular, they will highlight the interactions that took place with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Community and Industry Safety Response Group (CISAG).”

The CISAG in English is the C-IRG.

An Amnesty International media release further notes: “In their 20-minute oral testimony, representatives from the Nation will shine a light on the ongoing unjust criminalization and harassment of land defenders opposing the construction of the Coastal GasLink (CGL) pipeline through Wet’suwet’en territory. The Canadian government will respond to the testimony of the Wet’suwet’en delegation.”

The speakers are expected to be Chief Na’moks and Sleydo’ (Molly Wickham).

TO WATCH

The presentation will be on Monday, July 10, 2023, at 11 am in Vancouver /2 pm in Ottawa / 7 pm in London/ 8 pm in Brussels.

The presentation and response will be streamed on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) Facebook and Twitter channels.

MORE TO COME

Canada’s human rights record will be reviewed by the United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday November 10, 2023, through the universal periodic review process.

This past May, Canada announced that it is seeking a seat on the UN Human Rights Council for the 2028 to 2030 term. The vote for this at the UN General Assembly is expected to take place in 2026.

In this bid, Canada has articulated six priorities, notably: “Seeking justice and accountability for those on the frontlines of defending human rights” and “Advancing the rights of Indigenous peoples and reconciliation”.

In April of last year, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) issued its third rebuke to Canada commenting on its “use of force, surveillance, and criminalization of land defenders”, particularly those opposed to the construction of the Coastal GasLink fracked gas pipeline on Wet’suwet’en territory.

That letter expresses concern about the RCMP Community-Industry Response Group and reminds Canada of a CERD decision issued in December 2019 that called for the removal of the RCMP from Wet’suwet’en territory.

We will be watching the Wet’suwet’en presentation to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on July 10.

To hear more from Chief Na’moks, click on Dismantle the C-IRG, end violence against land defenders (PBI-Canada webinar, February 21, 2023).