Last Fall, the BC government was able to convince a provincial judge to allow construction of the Site C dam to continue even though a fundamental Treaty rights challenge is still before the courts.
The United Nations’ top anti-racism body has now responded to the injunction decision by calling on the federal and provincial governments to immediately suspend construction of Site C. The letter from the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is absolutely clear that, despite the injunction decision, a halt to construction is absolutely necessary to prevent permanent harm to the human rights of Indigenous peoples in the Peace River region.
The Committee also called on the federal and provincial governments to seek independent, expert advice on how to fulfill their human rights obligations, including the right of free, prior and informed consent.
The statement by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination reinforces the key messages of Amnesty International’s ongoing actions on the Site C case and creates an opportunity to reiterate and reinvigorate our appeal for the BC government to uphold its human rights obligations.
1) TAKE ACTION NOW
Following the injunction decision, we launched a new online petition to the Horgan government.
>>> Please sign the action and share on social media.
2) WRITE A LETTER
Adapt any of these actions as the basis of a personal letter to the Premier.
3) SUPPORT THE COURT CHALLENGE
Follow and support the ongoing First Nations court challenge.
