Security vs repression: a human rights discussion about Portland

In response to Black Lives Matter protests, the US government has deployed largely anonymous, armed and uniformed federal officers (including some in traditional military battle uniforms). The use of anonymous federal militias has drawn particular concern in Portland, Oregon where the forces have detained protestors, driven them away from the detention scene in unmarked vehicles and interrogated them without identifying themselves and without attorneys present. Lawsuits against the US government have alleged violations of freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and other fundamental rights in detention.

These alleged violations would implicate not only US state and federal law, but US obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and possibly the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention Against Torture.

This webinar aims to determine applicable domestic and international law (and legal grey areas) in the recent deployment of anonymous militias in the United States; debate the similarities and differences between the US government’s actions and the repressive tactics of other regimes; and discuss domestic and international legal remedies.