-- 25 MAY 1996
Traditional Dine' Press Release
Contact:(520) 289-4968 or (619) 358-7232
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RED ALERT!!!
ARRESTS AND VIOLENCE DISRUPT NAVAJO (DINE') GATHERING
B.I.A. Rangers in cooperation with the Hopi and local law enforcement
officials have blockaded a gathering of Traditional Dine' and their
supporters on the disputed territories of the Hopi Partitioned
land. Hopi Rangers have disrupted a traditional pipe ceremony and
manhandled several elders from the area.
The residences of Louise Benally and Ruth Benally in the Community of
Big Mountain, Arizona and the surrounding area, are now covered with
scores of law enforcement personnel. Many Navajo Elders are now
resisting arrest as their children and supporters have already been
taken into custody for attempting to attend the annual spring gathering.
Violence has been reported by several area residents as police have
used batons and force to take gathering participants into custody.
Police are now preparing to use tear gas at the site.
The situation escalated as a group of Elder women prevented the arrest
of a Dine' youth. Police then attempted to arrest the elders who sat
and clung to each other to avoid being taken into custody.
Supporters and family members continue to arrive and confront the
Hopi Rangers. The Traditional Elders have called on the media and
the American public to come and witness the violence and the
occupation of their ancestral homelands.
Please make Inquires and register complaints with the Office:
Senator John McCain (602) 952-2410 Washington D.C. (202) 224-3121
-- INTERNATIONAL INDIAN TREATY COUNCIL - May 28, 1996Mr. Jose Ayala Lasso, U.N. High Commissioner on Human Rights
Mr. Ibrahima Fall, Coordinator, International Decade of the World's Indigenous People[s]
Mr. Julian Berger, United Nations Center for Human Rights Geneva
...all c/o fax no. 011 41 22 9170118
Dear Esteemed Sirs;
The International Indian Treaty Council is profoundly concerned with the escalation of the situation at Big Mountain Arizona, United States. As I am sure you are, for over 10 years the IITC and the Dine' (Navajo) elders have brought the attempted forced relocation of thousands of traditional Dine' Peoples living in this area by the U.S. government to the attention of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, the Sub-Commmission for the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities and the Commission on Human Rights.
As you will note from the enclosed emergency bulletin, the situation has recently worsened with the escalation of harassment, intimidation and arrests of Dine' community members, including elders, and their supporters attending an annual ceremonial gathering. We are concerned for the violation of religious freedom as well as arbitrary detentions used as a tactic of intimidation. The situation could easily deteriorate further, resulting in greater violation of human rights.
Dine' Traditional Peoples feel that the mediation process recommended by the Sub-Commmission (1994/44) has not been successful due to the U.S. government's unwillingness to consider with sincerety the position and way of life of the traditional Peoples directly affected.
IITC is currently gathering statements from eyewitnesses and victims as well as an IITC observer who was present during the recent events. We will submit a formal complaint under U.N. procedures within the next few days. However, we wanted to inform you without delay of the gravity of the current situation and the threats to human rights and fundamental freedoms. We appreciate any investigation or intervention your good offices deem possible and appropriate at this time.
Sincerely,
Andrea Carmen, Executive Director, IITC
cc: U.S. Senator John McCain Hopi Tribal Chairman Mr. Ferrell Secakuku Sovereign Dine' Nation U.S. Interior Department and Bureau of Indian Affairs