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Esgenoôpetitj (Burnt Church, NB) - Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) has sent another six-person violence-reduction team to the fishing grounds off Esgenoôpetitj (Burnt Church, NB) in the face of potential violence and human rights violations against First Nations people involved with the spring lobster fishery.

CPT's Janet Shoemaker said, "Our goal is to reduce the risk of anyone being hurt this year as they exercise their right to fish. We will be visible in the community and will report widely on any abuses we observe."

Last year, in spite of the Supreme Court's "Marshall decision" recognizing aboriginal rights to fish, the Canadian Department of Fisheries & Oceans seized Mi'kmaq fishing boats and equipment. Police and fisheries officers harassed, beat, and imprisoned Aboriginal fishers and pressed more than 140 charges against them.

During a recent court appearance, one Mi'kmaq fisher asked, "How many times do we have to come to court? The Supreme Court has already recognized we have a right to fish."

In a report entitled "Gunboat Diplomacy: Canada's Abuse of Human Rights at Esgenoôpetitj," CPT documented 22 incidents where Mi'kmaq rights were violated during last year's fishing season. The report was released on Parliament Hill on February 28, 2001.

CPT hopes that the abuse will not be repeated. Team members have spent their first days establishing their camp and communications base and making contact with community leaders, fishers, police, and fisheries officials.