Original Posting:

https://cimi.org.br/?system=news&action=read&id=5446&eid=259

   The reaction of the Brazilian Government to the precautionary measures of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) of the Organization of American States (OAS) on the case of Belo Monte and the indigenous peoples, which officially calls for the immediate suspension of the licensing process and of the construction of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Complex, in Pará, should fill the country’s authorities with shame, who still neither know nor want to hear the outcry  of the indigenous peoples and the traditional communities of the region. These have long warned about the risks of the project, its socio-environmental impacts, and primarily about the lack of respect for the right of the affected populations to "prior, free and informed consultation, in good faith and culturally appropriate" as requested by the OAS, in accordance with Convention 169 of International Labor Organization (ILO), which was incorporated into national legislation by Decree 5051, in 2004.

   To the contrary, the Government through the Ministry of Foreign Relations, politicians and especially the indigenist agency – FUNAI, in a statement released on April 5, adopts a method that´s even worse than the previous one, blatantly lying to the international authorities, national and international public opinion, and to itself; alleging that it has already fulfilled its "institutional role in the process of clarification and consultation with indigenous communities" in all Indigenous territories, having provided information to indigenous people through meetings and public audiences. According to the agency, "the minutes submitted along with the report show that the communities were heard by the Funai during the preliminary consultation phase for the analysis of the indigenous component of the project."

   The alleged "undisputed role of the FUNAI in defense of indigenous peoples" is not sustained by the generalized situation of violation of indigenous rights in distinct areas, such as demarcation and protection of indigenous lands and the criminalization of indigenous leaders, as well as evidenced by the failure to apply the right of consultation, as established by the Federal Constitution and ILO Convention 169, in that the meetings and hearings organized by FUNAI were for informational purposes only in the context of the Environmental Impact Studies, and those participating continue to wait for the consultations announced by government officials.

    In the memorandum the FUNAI further incurs in the crime of discrimination and racism by saying that "the impacted Indigenous Lands are occupied by a group of indigenous peoples differing from each other. In the indigenous Lands Paquiçamba, Arara da Volta Grande do Xingu and Juruna do Km 17 live people who have undergone miscegenation processes, that is to say, have mixed with the non-indigenous population … "

   A malicious statement, which once again is an affront to ILO Convention 169 concerning indigenous identity (Art. 1). Nothing justifies the human rights of local communities, indigenous or otherwise, would be meanly disrespected.

   Instead of being reluctant to admit its errors, the Government should be concerned about changing the authoritarian, dictatorial and racist political culture with which the Brazilian State has always treated the indigenous people and other social groups, who have fought, even risking their lives, for openness and the current democratic regime.

   The APIB reiterates its repudiation of the attempt by the Brazilian Government to "shove down our throats" the Belo Monte Dam and other projects, such as the Transposition of the São Francisco River and the Small Hydroelectrics Plants (PCHs) that are impacting and will impact the Indigenous Lands and Peoples, with irreversible damage to current and future generations.

   The APIB demands, in closing, that no new enterprise be installed in Indigenous Lands until consultations are conducted, as demanded, for years now, by our peoples and organizations. That Eletronorte and FUNAI cease attempting to demobilize and silence the voices of those affected by Belo Monte and other projects with emergency relief policies like the distribution of food baskets. We do not want that the situation of slavery, conflict and social problems occurring at the Jirau and Santo Antonio hydroelectrics be repeated, threatening the physical, mental and cultural safety of indigenous communities.

   And we demand that the Brazilian government, especially the indigenist agency, fulfill, in fact, its constitutional role of advocating the indigenous rights, rather than adopting regressive and authoritarian postures typical of the dictatorial regime.

Brasilia, April 8, 2011

ARTICULAÇÃO DOS POVOS INDÍGENAS DO BRASIL – APIB