MAB denounces violation of rights and persecution of human rights defenders

The MAB denounces the use of “prohibitory injunction” as a mean of impeding the exercise of the right of free speech and expression, as well as with the aim of pursuing human rights defenders, hindering the causes defended by these

The current standard of construction of hydropower plants in Brazil has caused serious violations of human rights, as recognized by the National Council for Human Rights (CDDPH). This happens especially due to the absence of a national policy on the rights of people affected by dams.
In each new dam the situation repeats itself: it has been like in Santo Antônio and Jirau (RO), Garibaldi (SC), Belo Monte (PA) and will certainly be so in Garabi (Brazil and Argentina).

Protest of people affected by Belo Monte on March of 2014 in Altamira (PA)

MAB have sought for the repair for the violated rights in Belo Monte. Violated rights as: the under-registration of the affected families, bad quality of the resettlement, precarious working conditions at the construction site, the non-recognition of impacts to traditional working categories, low compensations, disrespect to the indigenous organization, among others.

Besides, the companies are persecuting the human rights defenders, violating the federal decree n. 6.044, which recognizes social movements and its members as defenders group of human rights and must have its action protected and encouraged.

On July 18^th of 2014, the company Norte Energia, once again proceeded with the criminalization and persecution of human rights defenders. This time, during the negotiation meeting, held at the Government House in Altamira. The Norte Energia is using “prohibitory injunction” to stop the activities of human rights defenders and MAB, who defends the dam affected people, and this harms even more the situation of those affected by dams.

This is not the first time that the “prohibitory injunction” has been used in Brazil, to stop strikes, marches, protests, demonstrations and demands for rights in our country. In the case of Belo Monte, the demand of rights cost a fine of R $ 50,000.00 to those who speak out.

MAB hereby denounce the use of “prohibitory injunction” as a mean of impeding the exercise of the right of free speech and expression, as well as with the aim of pursuing human rights defenders, hindering the causes defended by these.

These “prohibitory injunctions” is being used against the right of organization and protest, which are rights secured at the Constitution; which has even led the Council for the Defense of the Human Person (CDDPH) to recommend, in 2010, the revision of the formats of the “prohibitory injunction”. 

We reaffirm our commitment to the defense of another energy model is possible and the rights of people affected by dams. We call on all movements which are being criminalized to reaffirm its struggles taking no step back.

For a national policy of rights for those affected by dams!
Protection and freedom to those who defend human rights!
Struggle is not a crime!

National Coordination of the Movement of People Affected by Dams