MEP urges Europe to react to the murder of Brazilian indigenous leaders

Lisbon, 3 April 2020 – MEP Francisco Guerreiro (PAN) signs a letter calling for the protection of the indigenous people in Brazil by the European Commission.

Addressed to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security, Josep Borrell, and the Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, the letter asks for the support of the European External Action Service in the full protection of indigenous people in Brazil by monitoring the investigation of the five murders with the Brazilian authorities, as well as developing a mandatory policy framework on deforestation free supply chains, and the stepping up of the enforcement of the European Union Timber directive.

“These murders are not isolated events, but are part of a broader pattern of attacks against indigenous people and protected territories in Brazil. Those attacks are enabled by aggressive rhetoric from political leaders, the practical dismantling of Brazil's indigenous agency FUNAI, and anti-deforestation enforcement agency IBAMA, police repression against organizations and individuals protecting the forest, impunity for illegal loggers and miners, and a constant array of laws slashing Brazilian environmental legislation,” the letter says. 

Read the full letter here:

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