The European Parliament approved, on Thursday (7), a text which addresses the situation of indigenous people and environmentalists in Brazil, with emphasis on the murder of British journalist Dom Philips and indigenist Bruno Pereira a month ago in the Amazon.
The resolution calls for an independent investigation of the crimes and negatively evaluates the actions of the government of President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) in the protection of indigenous peoples and the environment.
In the text, the European Parliament “condemns with the utmost vehemence the murders of Mr. Dom Phillips and Mr. Bruno Pereira and expresses its solidarity and support to their families, friends and colleagues; calls for a thorough and results-oriented investigation into this crime”.
The document also further states that it “regrets President Bolsonaro’s continued aggressive rhetoric, verbal attacks and intimidating statements against minorities and is deeply concerned about the way in which the Brazilian government is promoting a climate of violence, harassment and intimidation against human rights defenders. and environmental”.
The text urges Brazilian civil society to “continue its vigilance and to denounce the many violations that have taken place in the country; urges the EU and its member states to support civil society, environmental and humanitarian organizations in the country so that they can carry out their work”.
Parliament also emphasizes the urgent need for Brazil to drastically improve its record of environmental protection and the fight against climate change and deforestation.
Itamaraty responds to the decision of the European Parliament
In a note, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty) released this Friday (8) a position on the decision of the European Parliament.
The Itamaraty states that “Brazil maintains an open and constant dialogue on the entire human rights agenda with the European Union, including topics such as human rights defenders, the rights of women and indigenous populations”.
Regarding the investigation into the murder of Dom Philips and Bruno Pereira, the ministry highlighted the actions of the Federal Police, the National Public Security Force and the National Indian Foundation, with the support of the Brazilian Navy to resolve the case.
“With the death of Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips proven, the Brazilian State has made all possible efforts to guarantee access to justice for their family members and to hold those involved in their disappearance and death criminally responsible. The Brazilian State reiterates its commitment to continue the investigations, in order to announce the circumstances in which the disappearance and death of the victims took place”, says the Itamaraty.
See the note from Itamaraty in full:
ITAMARATY NOTE ON THE DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Brazil maintains an open and constant dialogue on the entire human rights agenda with the European Union, including topics such as human rights defenders, the rights of women and indigenous populations.
Since becoming aware of the disappearance of the indigenist Bruno Pereira and the British journalist Dom Phillips, the Brazilian State has made a great effort to locate them, through actions by the Federal Police, the National Public Security Force and the National Indian Foundation, with support of the Brazilian Navy, through air, river and land operations.
With the death of Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips proven, the Brazilian State has made all possible efforts to guarantee access to justice for their families and to hold those involved in their disappearance and death criminally responsible. The Brazilian State reiterates its commitment to continue the investigations in order to announce the circumstances in which the disappearance and death of the victims took place.
The Brazilian State recognizes and values the role played by human rights defenders and has applied protection measures to more than 540 individuals spread across the country, a significant part of which works in defense of the human rights of members of indigenous communities and traditional communities located in the Amazon region. This recognition was formally extended to journalists and defenders who act specifically in defense of the environment, after the publication, in 2019, of Decree No.
Brazil has worked tirelessly to promote and protect the rights of girls and women, as well as other minorities and vulnerable groups, with special attention to combating all forms of violence and discrimination.
Finally, Brazil maintains a traditional commitment to combating all forms of racism and promoting equality for all, including through the enactment, last year, of the Inter-American Convention against Racism, Racial Discrimination and Related Forms of Intolerance. .
Source: CNN Brasil
