An analysis raising concerns about US charges against climate protesters
The US government’s failure to answer inquiries into the criminal crackdown on peaceful climate protestors has angered a top UN human rights expert. After two climate activists, Alex Connon and John Mark Rozendaal were accused of crimes carrying lengthy prison sentences, UN special rapporteur on human rights defenders Mary Lawlor published a letter to US authorities on Tuesday expressing concerns about the possible violation of international human rights law. During a series of peaceful demonstrations demanding an end to funding the fossil fuel industry, hundreds of climate activists were arrested outside Citibank’s headquarters in New York City over the summer, including Connon, director of the Stop the Money Pipeline coalition, and professional cellist Rozendaal.
Rights expert questions US Actions
Lawlor expressed her disappointment on Twitter/X, saying she was “very disappointed” that US officials had not responded to the letter she submitted on September 30. Lawlor and the special rapporteurs on climate change, the freedom to protest, and the right to a healthy and sustainable environment signed the letter together with four other UN human rights experts. States are typically given 60 days to reply in secret before messages are made public. The UN experts expressed doubts in the letter, which was addressed to the US diplomatic post at the UN in Geneva, regarding the veracity of an assault accusation against Rozendaal and Connon that was brought about by a Citibank security staff member’s report. The two activists were also charged with criminal contempt, which has a potential term of seven years, after taking part in another nonviolent demonstration. The security guard did not provide a deposition, thus the assault allegations were withdrawn.
Charges against protesters under scrutiny
To resolve the contempt charges, the two entered a guilty plea to “disorderly conduct,” which refers to Rozendaal playing the cello in a public plaza outside Citibank headquarters as Connon provided him with an umbrella to protect him from the rain. They expressed concern in the letter that the contempt charge was “without foundation” and seemed to be a punishment for taking part in nonviolent demonstrations on human rights and the climate issue. The experts wrote,
“Please specify what actions have been taken and safeguards in place to guarantee that all human rights defenders engaging in nonviolent action to support climate change mitigation and a fair transition can do their work without fear of threat, violence, harassment, or retaliation of any kind.”
“The US supports the mandate of the SR on human rights defenders, and we endeavor to respond to inquiries by special procedures mandate holders as promptly as possible,”
a State Department official said in a statement. In order to slow down construction, increase public awareness, and put pressure on governments, businesses, and financiers to take more immediate climate action, activists in the US and around the world have resorted to protests and nonviolent civil disobedience, such as blocking roads and chaining themselves to trees and machinery, in the face of the ongoing expansion of fossil fuels.
Climate activists face legal pushback
“Authorities should be listening to defenders, but they are not,”
Lawlor continued. Despite the fact that the climate catastrophe is a human rights crisis, authorities are not acting appropriately. They must alter their direction and begin paying attention, or else they will force us into a future in which the rights of many individuals worldwide will be in jeopardy. Rachel Berkrot, an educator and environmental activist, was also spared jail time on Tuesday following a last-minute plea agreement in which the prosecution withdrew the vital infrastructure accusation against her. Berkot was one of eight climate activists who were prosecuted under West Virginia’s contentious critical infrastructure statute for taking part in peaceful demonstrations against the fossil gas pipeline in the Mountain Valley. Numerous others are facing civil claims and have been charged. Berkrot, who was fined $500 for entering a no-guilty plea to charges of obstruction and trespass, stated,
“This increase in repression is part of a long legacy of collusion between the state and the fossil fuel industry to silence resistance.”
Concerns over US protest policies
Since the 2016 Indigenous-led nonviolent protest against the Dakota Access oil pipeline on the Standing Rock Indigenous reserve, at least 22 states have enacted anti-protest legislation known as critical infrastructure laws, which punish civil disobedience with felony convictions, fines, and lengthy prison terms. The Azerbaijani government is using COP29 to target political opponents, including environmental campaigners. For the third consecutive year, the nation hosting the climate summit has been charged with repression and restricting the freedom to demonstrate under the law. According to the Climate Action Network, a coalition of over 2,000 climate organizations, civil society protection is essential if nations are to make it forward on climate change, BBC News said. The government of Azerbaijan denies the allegations and asserts that it does not have any political prisoners.
