FARGO (KFGO-AM) - Representatives from Amnesty International have left the Dakota Access Pipeline protest site near Cannon Ball, ND. The group says a delegation was sent to monitor law enforcement and to ensure the protesters’ rights aren't violated.
In an interview with KFGO News, Amnesty International Senior Director Tarah Demant says the organization is still in contact with some of the demonstrators.
“We’re trying to keep contact with legal teams at the protest site, as well as protesters on the ground to make sure that if something happens" Demant said. "We are there hopefully as a deterrent, but also to document the human rights situation.”
“One of our concerns of course is, in places where there’s not a lot of observation, those are the places that human rights violations can happen” according to Demant. "We're monitoring the situation very closely to decide if, or when to return.
Demant says the organization is still waiting to hear from Gov. Jack Dalrymple regarding its request to re-open Highway 1806. Amnesty International is concerned that the closure is being used to hinder access to the protest site. Law enforcement has said the highway was closed for public safety reasons.
