International Indian Treaty Council sends urgent communication to UN about Dakota Access pipeline

The International Indian Treaty Council has filed an urgent communication with four of the UN Special Rapporteurs regarding the Dakota Access pipeline and the concerns raised about it by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The communication is addressed to four thematic rapporteurs: on the situation of human rights defenders, on the rights of indigenous peoples, on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation, and the environment and human rights.

This press release from the International Indian Treaty Council  explains that the urgent  communication  "requests the intervention of these UN human rights mandate holders to call upon the United States to uphold its statutory, legal, Treaty and human rights obligations and impose an immediate and ongoing moratorium on all pipeline construction until the Treaty and human rights of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, including their right to free prior and informed consent, can be ensured."

Dakota Access Pipeline Getting National Attention in the US

Efforts to continue construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline in spite of the concerns and protests of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe have finally reached national consciousness in the United States. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe  has been raising concerns about the pipeline for months. This blog has been following the developments and concerns raised about the pipeline since March of this year.

There is a growing camp of supporters and protesters in North Dakota. There is also a law suit that has been filed, with a ruling expected than “no laterthan Sept. 9 on a request by the Standing Rock Sioux to stop construction andreconsider permits the project has received.” 

The comparisons to the controversial Keystone XL pipeline are inevitable, with this story noting that  the Dakota Access pipeline is “quickly emerging as a sort of Keystone XL Part 2.”