‘ICE overreach a grave concern’ – IBAHRI

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has expressed “grave concern” about what it describes as “escalating incidents of human-rights violations” committed by public authorities in the US. 

In a statement, it cited violent attacks on protestors – including the fatal shootings of Renée Nicole Good on 7 January and Alex Pretti on 24 January – and the absence of independent investigations. 

“Recent events reflect a troubling pattern of executive overreach and impunity that undermines fundamental principles of democracy,” the human-rights body stated. 

Right to life 

It noted that the two deaths occurred amid protests against the powers being exercised by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

“The right to life is a jus cogens norm, binding on all states without exception,” the IBAHRI said. 

It said that, as a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the US was legally obligated to uphold the right to life and the right to peaceful assembly. 

The IBAHRI added that these obligations were reinforced by the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

“The US must fulfil its obligations to uphold these rights, and independently and promptly investigate any violations. A failure to meaningfully investigate warrants a violation of the ICCPR in and of itself,” it stated. 

Preservation of evidence 

The IBAHRI has welcomed a court order requiring the preservation of evidence in Pretti’s case but has said that it remains concerned about the lack of progress on Good’s death. 

IBAHRI co-chair Mark Stephens CBE commented: “It is a source of great concern that we are seeing in Minneapolis, and across the United States, the use of a policing force, an arm of the state, overreaching, with no means of identification, where they cover their faces, where there are no identifying numbers on their clothing, allowing them to enjoy immunity from prosecution.” 

The human-rights body has also expressed concern about ICE operations that, it says, bypass judicial processes – including arrests without warrants and deportations carried out without due process. 

It has called on the US to “remember its international legal obligations” and bring ICE back under the remit of the state.