Amnesty International Canada says it's worried more violence could break out at anti-fracking protests in New Brunswick unless the provincial government takes a different approach toward the First Nations groups involved.
In an open letter to New Brunswick Premier David Alward, the organization said it's "deeply concerned" about the government's response to the protests over shale-gas exploration in the province.
Pointing to last month’s rally in Rexton, N.B., that saw six police vehicles set on fire and 40 protesters arrested, Amnesty spokespersons wrote that the clash could have been avoided if the province had respected the human rights of indigenous peoples under Canadian and international law.
"It is critical to acknowledge that Indigenous Peoples have rights to their lands, territories and resources that predate the creation of the Canadian state," Amnesty wrote in the letter released Friday, adding that Canada's failure to protect those rights "has been repeatedly condemned by international human rights bodies."
Alward has brushed aside criticism that there hasn't been enough consultation with First Nations about shale-gas exploration in New Brunswick.
The premier has said his government has had more discussions with First Nation communities than any past provincial government.
However, in its letter, Amnesty says the inherent land rights of Aboriginal peoples cannot be ignored in the day-to-day operations of the government.
The group said whenever a project could impact indigenous peoples, "a very high standard of precaution is required to ensure that no further harm is inflicted."
"Our organizations call on New Brunswick to acknowledge that shale-gas exploration and development on or near the traditional lands of Indigenous peoples is clearly an example where the safeguard of free, prior and informed consent is appropriate and necessary," the letter reads.
The group also stressed the needed to ensure appropriate police response in unresolved lands rights conflicts.
"Use of force must always be a last resort and the scale and nature of the force deployed must be in proportion to the need to protect public safety," Amnesty writes.
Violence had erupted near the Elsipogtog First Nations reserve on Oct. 17 after protesters blockaded the highway leading to an energy compound in an effort to stop seismic testing at the site. Police said Molotov cocktails were thrown at officers and pepper spray and rubber bullets were used on the protesters, resulting in 40 arrests.
Meanwhile, smaller protests continue near the site.
On Saturday, a small group from the Elsipogtog First Nation held a peaceful demonstration to symbolically reclaim public land in Kent County by placing plaques on 50 separate 100-acre lots.
With files from The Canadian Press
