The International Human Rights Law clinic at the American University Washington College of Law has filed a petition before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for the Organisation of American States. In conjunction with the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union of Puerto Rico, the Clinic filed a Petition for Precautionary Measures on behalf of the residents of the Puerto Rican village of Villas del Sol.
The local government found that the community was built on a flood plain and ordered the residents to move. However, three weeks before the planned date of eviction, the government had not publicly identified the site to which the residents were to move, having already cut electric and water services at the flood plain site. Through their petition, the villagers petitioned the Commission to order the US to, among other things, halt the process of forced evictions, prevent further police violence, end police interference in emergency medical situations and ensure the peaceful relocation process of community members and that this relocation area be inhabitable, safe and free from policy interference and surveillance. The Petition alleged violations of the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man and relied on over 40 affidavits collected by the law students.
A copy of the petition can be found at http://www.internationalprobono.com/resources/item.316623-Villas_del_Sol_blog_post_The_Events_of_3rd_August_Petition.