April 2nd, 2013
The contradictions caused by the construction of large dam in the Amazon region have been sharpening recently. The Movement of People Affected by Dams (MAB) and indigenous and riverside organisations are denouncing the human rights violations caused by these works. And the response from private companies and the government is increasing repression.
On March 14, the International Day of Action against Dams, we were surprised with the publication of a judicial decision that forbade us from doing any action that would interfere in the execution of the works of Belo Monte. Disrespect of the judicial decision will be fined daily with 50,000 Brazilian Real. This prohibition to demonstrate sets a precedent. Norte Energia, the owner of Belo Monte, and all other dam builders around the country can go to court to ask prohibition of our historical struggles during March 14th, preventing populations affected by dams to make complaints and demand their rights.
That same day, MAB gathered 500 people to ask attention for their situation. More than 40 thousand people have to leave their homes because of the dam Belo Monte. While the works of the plant are accelerated – with 28 thousand workers – the answers to those affected follow very slowly. All these families did not receive yet an answer where they will be housed.
The repression is not only through the courts. Last week, the federal government decided to reinforce the presence of the National Public Security Force at the plant after indigenous groups, riverside populations and workers staged a protest. Through decree published in the Brazilian ‘Official Gazette’, Minister of Justice Jose Eduardo Cardozo authorized the deployment of troops for 90 days, period that can be extended.
It is curious that in a town where the population suffers with the increasing urban violence resulting from the construction of the plant (which caused the rapid increase in population of about 90 thousand to more than 150 thousand in less than five years), the prime concern of the public security is to ensure the progress of the dam.
In another Amazon river, Tapajós, National Force also arrived last week in defense of large hydroelectric power projects. About 250 soldiers in the region of Itaituba, have to ensure the elaboration of studies for construction dams in the Tapajós River, especially in indigenous territories. This is, in our opinion, an authoritative decision, which aims to impose the plant in the Tapajós region without consulting local, indigenous and riverside populations.
The indiginous group Munduruku, MAB ally in the struggle against dams in the region, also denounced this action. But a federal decree authorized the National Force to enter the village Sawre Muybu in order to ensure the achievement of the impact studies.
The Indians have resisted the studies in their territory, which has been taking place in an authoritarian manner and without dialogue. With the presence of the National Force, the fear is that operations like the one in Eldorado in the region of Teles Pires (border of Mato Grosso and Pará), in which an Indian was killed and several were wounded, including children and elderly, could be repeated.
The National Force has been active in all constructions of dams in the Amazon, like Jirau and Santo Antonio on the Madeira River. The government already mobilized more than 500 men in the region.
Earlier, the justification of the presence of the National Force was to protect the physical integrity of the protesters. However, the ordinance issued last week in the Official Gazette made clear that their true role is ensuring the progress of these great projects even when it is necessary to deny the rights of the local populations.
Source: MAB
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