MEPs urge for independence of all NGOs operating in the Amazon

Brussels, 26 November 2020 – Several Members of the European Parliament expressed concern about news from the Brazilian media that reported the intention of the country’s Government to control, by 2022, all Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in the Amazon, with the possibility to restrict the activities of those that are found to violate “national interests”.

In a letter sent to Vice President Hamilton Mourão and representatives of the Brazilian National Council for the Legal Amazon, MEPs underline how important it is that these NGOs remain independent for the protection of the environment. 

“At a time where the Amazon is burning at record speed, limiting the operations of environmental and social groups and organisations can have devastating consequences. (...) Deforestation too is increasing: in 2020 deforestation alerts were up 34% compared to the previous year,” say the letter’s signatories. 

Read the full letter below.

Check also the reply by Vice President Hamilton Mourão.

You can read as well the appreciation letter from Brazilian social organizations to the 68 MEPs who signed this letter here.

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