US Congressional Representatives Speak Out in Defense of the Yanomami
WBO Press release March 3, 2023
Bolsonaro blamed for humanitarian tragedy
In an open letter, they call for the accountability of the former Brazilian president
A group of four US Congressional representatives published a joint statement on Monday, January 27 in support of the Yanomami Indigenous people who face a “humanitarian crisis attributed primarily to illegal mining on their lands,” according to the document signed by Reps. Raúl Grijalva, Susan Wild, Chuy Garcia and Hank Johnson.
The Congressional representatives also say that the ongoing tragedy in Roraima, where more than 600 indigenous children died from problems associated with malnutrition, malaria and other diseases, is caused by the adoption of “policies against the environment and against indigenous peoples in the administration of the former president [Jair] Bolsonaro”.
The group asks that Bolsonaro, who has been in the United States since December 2022 after having lost the October 30 presidential race, be held responsible in court for the tragedy that occurred with the Yanonami. The American legislators did not go into details about judicial accountability, but the former Brazilian president is the target of investigations in Brazil. In addition, Brazilian civil society organizations have filed complaints against him with the International Criminal Court. .
The Democratic Congressional representatives claim that “by withdrawing funds and dismantling key environmental and human rights agencies, supporting bills to open indigenous lands to mining, and constantly attacking indigenous peoples during his presidency, Bolsonaro has allowed illegal gold miners to invade Yanomami territory and conduct their activities with impunity. The crimes committed by the Bolsonaro government must now be faced with justice and accountability.”
The WBO (Washington Brazil Office) worked with the Congressional legislators who wanted to speak out regarding the critical situation facing the Yanomami people in Roraima. “The Yanomami crisis in Roraima is, first of all, a crisis caused by measures taken in the past by the Brazilian government, and, as such, needs to be faced and resolved with government measures, taken by the current president and his ministers. This does not mean, however, that the international community is oblivious. On the contrary, worldwide pressure is increasing on crimes against the environment and against Indigenous peoples in many parts of the world. In this sense, the WBO plays a fundamental role in providing these international actors with contacts and quality information that allow the voice of Indigenous peoples and Brazilian civil society to be heard throughout the world,” said Iman Musa, director of advocacy at the WBO.
