Amnesty International asks Biden to free Leonard Peltier
Native American rights activist Leonard Peltier, who has spent nearly 50 years behind bars, is celebrating his 80th birthday on Thursday. Amnesty International USA is making a heartfelt appeal to President Joe Biden to release him before the end of his term.
In a letter dated September 4, Paul O’Brien, the executive director of Amnesty International USA, emphasized that Peltier was recently denied both parole and compassionate release by the US Parole Commission and the Bureau of Prisons, respectively. “As President of the United States, you have the opportunity to rectify a case that has long troubled human rights advocates and Indigenous Peoples worldwide,” O’Brien wrote to President Biden.
Leonard Peltier has been incarcerated since the 1970s after being convicted of the murder of two FBI agents during a 1975 shootout on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Despite the lack of evidence directly linking him to the crime, Peltier was sentenced to two consecutive life terms.
His trial was marred by egregious misconduct, with federal prosecutors concealing exculpatory evidence and abruptly changing their charge to aiding and abetting. The FBI never identified the actual perpetrator of the crime, but due to the need for justice, Peltier, a member of the American Indian Movement, became the target.
Over the years, Peltier’s incarceration has sparked outrage from various quarters, including US politicians, tribal leaders, celebrities, and international human rights figures such as Pope Francis, the Dalai Lama, and Nelson Mandela. Even United Nations human rights experts have criticized the arbitrary nature of his prolonged imprisonment solely based on his Native American heritage.
Despite maintaining his innocence throughout his incarceration, the FBI has adamantly opposed his release, citing outdated and inaccurate information. Peltier’s parole was denied earlier this year, making him the longest-serving political prisoner in US history.
Justin Mazzola of Amnesty International USA expressed hope that President Biden would show compassion by releasing Peltier, especially considering his multiple health issues while being held in a maximum-security prison in Florida.
Leonard Peltier suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, the aftermath of a stroke, and complications from jaw surgery. He has also been diagnosed with an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, a potentially life-threatening condition given the scarcity of medical staff in the prison. O’Brien highlighted the urgency of the situation and called for Peltier’s sentence to be commuted.
The Justice Department has yet to respond to requests for comments regarding Peltier’s case. Amnesty International USA has been relentless in its pursuit of Peltier’s release, urging both the US Parole Commission and the Bureau of Prisons to grant him parole or compassionate release, to no avail.
Justin Mazzola stressed the importance of reuniting Peltier with his family and community in his final years to bridge the gap between Native Americans and the government. He believes that releasing Peltier would be a meaningful step towards achieving justice and mercy, ultimately becoming a significant part of President Biden’s legacy.
“Keeping an 80-year-old man with various health issues imprisoned for life serves no purpose in the pursuit of justice,” Mazzola remarked. “We sincerely hope that President Biden will find it in his heart to release Leonard Peltier as an act of humanity, mercy, and respect for human rights.”
