UN human rights experts warn that lethal force by U.S. immigration enforcement in Minneapolis may amount to arbitrary deprivation of life and extrajudicial killing.
They urged prompt, impartial investigations, accountability for unlawful actions, and protection of victims’ rights, emphasizing that all policing, including immigration enforcement, must uphold the right to life.
A report released on Wednesday by the United Nations says that on January 7 and 24, federal immigration agents reportedly shot two citizens at point-blank range.
The experts stated, “Any loss of life in the context of law enforcement operations must be treated as a potentially unlawful death and raises urgent questions regarding compliance with international human rights law and standards governing the use of force. It must therefore be promptly and effectively investigated.”
They further warned, “A failure to carry out a proper investigation may in itself constitute a violation of the right to life,” urging that investigations comply with the Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Death and are conducted in cooperation with relevant law enforcement agencies.
The experts expressed concern over comments by senior officials describing the victims as domestic terrorists and claiming that lethal force was necessary.
They cautioned, “Such statements, made prior to the completion of an independent and impartial investigation, risk prejudging key factual and legal questions, undermining public confidence, and influencing investigative outcomes.
Authorities must refrain from statements that could compromise the independence and impartiality of the investigation.”
Highlighting a broader context, the UN experts pointed to systemic human rights violations connected to Operation Metro Surge.
“In addition to the two fatal shootings, reported violations have included excessive use of force against allegedly undocumented immigrants, peaceful protesters and bystanders, lack of due process and arbitrary deprivation of liberty,” they said.
Since December, thousands of ICE and Customs and Border Protection agents have been deployed across Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and surrounding areas.
“Militarised raids without judicial warrant, driven by racial profiling, and aggressive stops around schools and hospitals, are obstructing human rights and the activities of constitutional observers, human rights defenders and journalists,” the experts noted.
They reminded authorities of legal obligations under international law, “Law enforcement officials must, at all times, respect and protect human life. Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which the United States is a party, the right to life is protected by law and may not be arbitrarily deprived. This obligation applies in all policing contexts, including immigration enforcement, and under all circumstances without possible derogation.”
The experts also cited the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, emphasizing that force may be used only when strictly necessary, firearms may be used only as a last resort, and intentional lethal force is permissible solely when strictly unavoidable to protect life.
During protests and assemblies, they stressed that law enforcement authorities are required to prioritise de-escalation, dialogue, and non-violent means before resorting to any use of force.
The policing of protests demands heightened restraint. We note the announcement that officers will be equipped with body cameras, which can support investigations and may have a preventive effect.
Finally, the experts called for accountability and protection for victims: “U.S. authorities must ensure that those responsible for any unlawful killings and human rights violations are held accountable. Victims and their families must also have access to effective remedies, including reparations and guarantees of non-repetition, and must be protected from any acts of reprisal.”
They warned that without immediate action, tensions risk erupting into broader violence, and reaffirmed their readiness to assist U.S. authorities.
“We stand ready to engage constructively with U.S. authorities to support compliance with international human rights obligations.”
