Stop Brazilian Dam Construction
- by: Judith B.
- recipient: Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil
Indigenous and environmental groups are furious at the Brazilian government’s plans to build a whole series of dams along the Tapajós River and its tributaries without, they say, the consent of communities.
The planned dams are part of a mammoth hydroelectric project and could cause tremendous environmental disruption, potentially ruining the lives of communities along the river. Although it is illegal in Brazil for projects on this scale to go ahead without the permission of affected communities, it appears that this is just what has happened.
The authorities are also accused of using intimidation techniques, primarily the unnecessary deployment of armed military personnel for surveys, to curb protest.
Tell the Brazilian government to withdraw its troops until full and proper community consultation has taken place on the Tapajos River dams.
We the undersigned ask that you immediately withdraw the military personnel currently involved in surveys for the proposed hydroelectric dams along the Tapajos River and its tributaries. It doesn’t appear that communities have been properly consulted about this project, which is legally required for an infrastructure project of this size.
Given that communities claim that their permission has not been granted for the construction of these dams, the deployment of the army at this stage amounts to intimidation and is completely insupportable.
These dams could cause enormous environmental disruption to the area, directly and seriously affecting the lives of communities. Attempting to force construction to go ahead without going through the proper legal channels is not acceptable.
Please withdraw the troops and halt other planning operations until after a full and proper community consultation has taken place.
Thank you for your attention.
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