United Nations filing alleges human rights abuses by the U.S. military in Guam

Julian Aguon with Blue Ocean Law has submitted new charges of human rights abuses by the U.S. military on Guam to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples.

The original filing was submitted in August 2020 on behalf of community group Prutehi Litekyan: Save Ritidian. 

The recent charges advocate for Chamorro self determination, consent, and a healthy environment amid the large-scale military build-up. 

Maria Hernandez May is an organizer with the community group called Hita Litekyan and is a descendant of Ritidian original landowners.

“This really does go back to a lack of free, prior, and informed consent. That we, as a CHamoru people, are not centered in the decision making around what is happening to our island as 900 football fields of our land are cleared for military build up projects and so consent is something we have never been given,” said May.

Separately, Prutehi Litekyan said they have asked the United Nations Special Rapporteur to visit Guam to see the impacts firsthand.