Rare move by United Nations nudges US to intervene in Native American eviction dispute
United Nations experts called on the U.S. government Thursday to stop a small tribe in Washington state from evicting some disenrolled members in a growing dispute that has raised questions about the federal government balancing its duty to protect civil rights while respecting tribal sovereignty.
The Nooksack Indian Tribe has taken steps in recent years to evict residents from tribal housing who the tribe states are not authentic members. The disenrolled tribal members claim their civil rights are being violated, which prompted the federal government to ask the tribe to hold off on evictions numerous times last fall before announcing an investigation in December. The tenants facing expulsion also asked the U.N. to investigate the matter as a potential human rights violation.
The U.N. human rights experts revealed the conclusion of their investigation Thursday, urging the United States "to halt the planned and imminent forced evictions" citing the need to protect human rights and Indigenous people's rights.
“We appeal to the U.S. Government to respect the right to adequate housing... and to ensure that it abides by its international obligations, including with respect to the rights of indigenous peoples,” the experts said in a press release.
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