The United Nations has been called on to investigate the suspected murder of an i-Kiribati fisheries observer in March of this year.
Eritara Kaierua's wife Tekarara and their four children Robert, Aati, Tuateira and Bebe depended on their father's income as a fisheries observer. Photo: Courtesy of the Kaierua family
Greenpeace USA and the Association for Professional Observers have made a formal complaint saying the UN needs to intervene to ensure an effective and thorough investigation.
The complaint, submitted on behalf of the family of the deceased observer, Eritara Aati Kaierua, asks the UN to ensure observers are protected and those responsible for the death of Mr Kaierua are held accountable.
Greenpeace USA's Andy Shen says fishery observers protect the needs of vulnerable communities and defend our human right to a healthy environment.
Yet, he says, companies, governments, and multilateral organisations are failing to protect them from intimidation, abuse, and death.
Greenpeace USA has called on the UN Special Rapporteur, Mary Lawlor, to intervene in Mr Kaierua's to ensure the investigation meets international legal standards, and the man's family receives full and effective remedies from all the responsible parties.