The grief experienced by families who lose loved ones to police violence is twofold—they must contend with the loss itself in addition to navigating a legal system designed to shield the officers responsible for the murders.

This submission tells the story of the family of Manuel Esteban Paez Terán, affectionately known as “Tortuguita,” the first-known environmental human rights defender in history to be killed by law enforcement in the United States. On January 18, 2023, Manuel was killed by Georgia state police while sitting cross-legged, engaged in peaceful protest of plans by state officials to raze an urban forest for construction of a militarized police training facility known as Cop City.

Belkis Terán, Manuel’s mother, and her family have suffered profound grief, confusion, and hopelessness since Manuel’s death. State authorities have refused the family’s multiple requests for information, body camera footage, and other evidence that would reveal the truth of what happened on the day Manuel was killed.

What solutions exist?

The struggle for transparency, truth, and justice faced by the Terán family are commonplace in the United States. In light of the government’s harms perpetuated against families of police brutality victims, we encourage the Special Rapporteur to publicly condemn this abuse and meaningfully implement the Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions.

How can I get involved?

Read our submission to learn how the United States obstructs the rights to transparency, truth, and justice for families of victims of police killings.

December 20, 2024

Submission to Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial,
summary or arbitrary executions on the rights of families of victims of police killings