Human rights expert welcomes clemency for Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier
24 January 2025
GENEVA (24 January 2025) – UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, today welcomed the announcement that Leonard Peltier, an Indigenous activist who has been imprisoned for over 46 years, will be released on compassionate release by President Biden.
“I am deeply relieved and grateful that President Biden has taken this important step towards addressing the gross miscarriage of justice that has plagued Leonard Peltier’s life,” said Ms. Tauli-Corpuz. “His release is a victory for human rights and a testament to the power of Indigenous resistance and solidarity.”
Peltier, a member of the American Indian Movement (AIM), was convicted in 1977 of the murders of two FBI agents during a shootout on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. However, there has been widespread evidence of prosecutorial misconduct and suppressed evidence in the case, leading many to believe that Peltier is innocent.
Ms. Tauli-Corpuz noted that Peltier’s imprisonment has been marked by numerous human rights violations, including inadequate medical care, solitary confinement, and denial of access to traditional spiritual practices. She also expressed concern about the racial bias that has permeated Peltier’s case from the outset.
“The release of Leonard Peltier sends a clear message that the United States is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and to upholding their human rights,” said Ms. Tauli-Corpuz. “It is my hope that this decision will open the door to a broader review of cases involving Indigenous prisoners and that it will contribute to a more just and equitable society for all.”
Ms. Tauli-Corpuz commended the efforts of Indigenous activists, human rights organizations, and countless individuals who have campaigned tirelessly for Peltier’s release. She also expressed her appreciation to President Biden for his compassionate decision.
“Leonard Peltier’s long-overdue release is a beacon of hope for all those who have been unjustly imprisoned,” said Ms. Tauli-Corpuz. “It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, justice can prevail.”
ENDS
For more information and media requests, please contact: Jeremy Laurence, UN Human Rights Office: +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org
Background:
Leonard Peltier is an Indigenous activist and member of the American Indian Movement (AIM). He was convicted in 1977 of the murders of two FBI agents during a shootout on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. However, there has been widespread evidence of prosecutorial misconduct and suppressed evidence in the case.
Peltier has spent over 46 years in prison, during which time he has been subjected to numerous human rights violations. He has been denied adequate medical care, held in solitary confinement for extended periods, and deprived of access to traditional spiritual practices.
In recent years, there has been growing support for Peltier’s release, with many organizations and individuals calling for a pardon or clemency. In 2020, the Parole Board recommended Peltier’s release on compassionate grounds, finding that he was no longer a danger to society and that his health was declining. However, President Trump declined to follow the Parole Board’s recommendation.
On 20 January 2025, President Biden announced that he would be granting clemency to Peltier. Peltier is expected to be released in the coming months.
Human rights expert welcomes clemency for Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier
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