Human Rights Expert Welcomes Clemency for Indigenous Activist Leonard Peltier
Published: 2025-01-24 12:00
Geneva (24 January 2025) – UN human rights expert, Francisco Cali Tzay, has welcomed the recent clemency granted to Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier, who has spent over 46 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.
In a statement, Cali Tzay said that the clemency was a significant step towards correcting a “miscarriage of justice” that had caused “indescribable suffering” to Peltier and his family.
“The clemency is a testament to the power of persistence and the unwavering support of Leonard Peltier’s supporters, who have campaigned tirelessly for his release,” Cali Tzay said.
Peltier, a member of the American Indian Movement (AIM), was convicted in 1977 of murdering two FBI agents during a shootout on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. However, there has been substantial evidence pointing to his innocence, including witness recantations and FBI misconduct.
Cali Tzay highlighted that Peltier’s case had become a symbol of the systemic racism and discrimination faced by Indigenous peoples in the United States. The activist had been subjected to harsh treatment in prison, including solitary confinement and denial of medical care.
“Leonard Peltier’s release is a victory for Indigenous rights and a reminder that the fight for justice must continue,” Cali Tzay said. “This case should serve as a lesson to us all that miscarriages of justice can have devastating consequences and that we must work to ensure that such injustices do not happen again.”
Cali Tzay urged the U.S. government to fully exonerate Peltier and provide him with adequate compensation for the years he had spent in prison. He also called for a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system to address the systemic biases and inequalities that contribute to miscarriages of justice.
“Indigenous peoples have suffered disproportionately from mass incarceration and wrongful convictions,” Cali Tzay said. “It is imperative that we take steps to address these injustices and build a more just and equitable society for all.”
Human rights expert welcomes clemency for Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier
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