Greenpeace - Making Waves: Activist and indigenous people in danger in the Amazon

This video is a little long, but it is an amazing view of the dangers faced by activists working in places like this.

Paulo Adário, the coordinator of Greenpeace's Amazonia campaign, who led the mission subsequently complained that 'We heard from the Mayor and all of the others that the Constitution does not exist in Juína, there is no right to go and see, no freedom of the press. It is completely unacceptable that ranchers, with the support of the local authorities, can violate our freedom of movement and freedom of expression in this way.'
Unfortunately such threats are both very real and very common in Brazil today. Over the past 30 years, 1,237 rural workers, union leaders and activist have been killed in Brazilian land disputes and only a tiny handful people have ever been convicted as a result.

I have huge respect for journalists and activist who put their lives on the line to get the truth out. But as Paulo reminded me by email:

We could leave the region with our plane and - that Tuesday - remove the two Opan guys. But the Enawene will stay there forever, and Opan needs to come back to help them. They are under threat, not us.

He's right. They've asked for our help, and brave people like that deserve it. One way we can help to keep them safe is to spread the word. So please forward this video around.

Survival International is also calling on people to write emails and letters (read mine here if you want an example). Also see the OPAN website.

Comments

Here's the email I wrote to Genro and Meira...

I am writing to express my dismay and shock at the treatment of activists and journalists in Mato Grosso. Their mission to document the plight of the Enawene Nawe was entirely legitimate.

I urge you do all you can to ensure the safety and freedom of movement of journalists, activists and Enawene Nawe alike.

Thank you for taking the time to read this email.

Sincerely,

Andrew Davies

Posted by: Andrew | August 30, 2007 9:11 PM

I can't read the OPAN website (Spanish?).

When you use the default email change just a bit of it, automatic filtering doesn't work then. Than they will have to read it!

Posted by: Adriaan | August 31, 2007 2:41 PM

France should do something to help from Guyane.

Posted by: Patricia Maihota | September 2, 2007 7:28 PM

This is an outstanding and compelling video. I especially appreciated the editorial from Andrew. Indeed, we need to bring this into the Light. Thank goodness this didn't escalate into something more ugly. I'll do as you suggest and try to get some of this information up on my website in the next day or so. Love you guys/girls, ...GC

Posted by: Grateful Child | October 19, 2007 2:05 PM