Ottawa faces backlash over response to Wet’suwet’en testimony in human rights hearing

Ottawa is being called out for their lack of response to a Wet’suwet’en testimony in a hearing on the criminalization of land defenders.

That testimony came on Monday from Wet’suwet’en representatives to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

They say that land defenders have been unjustly criminalized and arrested while opposing the construction of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline.

Coming in the form of a written submission, the Canadian government allegedly had access to the testimony beforehand.

Though at the hearing, Canada’s ambassador in the hearing, had said his participation was simply to better understand petitioners’ concerns and provide context.

That’s prompted criticism from Amnesty International Canada, and members of the Inter-American Commission.

Secretary General for Amnesty International Canada Ketty Nivyabandi says the government’s refusal to engage in specifics of the nation’s concerns raises uncomfortable questions.

Though one commissioner stated that the lack of response is disappointing, the hearing is meant to determine if the nation’s rights were violated.

According to the nation, the RCMP used unnecessary force and were armed with military-style assault weapons and worked with CGL security to desecrate ceremonial spaces and more.