MAB receives Zaragoza’s Ecozine “Berta Cáceres” Award in Spain

Within the 12^th edition of the International Festival of Environment and Cinema “Ecozine” of Zaragoza, Spain, the Movement of People Affected by Dams – MAB, from Brazil, received the “Berta Cáceres” award, which recognizes its commitment with the Environment. On the occasion, the movement denounced the crimes of Mariana and Brumadinho and the imminent risk of another Vale dam breach in the city of Barão de Cocais.

The International Festival of Environment and Cinema “Ecozine”, held in Zaragoza, Spain, started in 2008 and the Award in honor for environmental commitment is named after Berta Cáceres.

In this years edition the Award has been given to MAB, in recognition of its struggle in defense of the rights of the dam affected populations and its works within the populations affected by the crime committed by Vale in Minas Gerais: the tailings dams burst which occurred in Mariana and Brumadinho.

Pedro Piñeiro, director of the Ecozine Festival, said to be honored to award MAB and explained: “I know the problem very well, and I know how important this constant struggle is for people living in the affected regions. We Europeans pass and leave, but it is these people who are living the consequences to defend the rights of the people affected. ” 

Joceli Andrioli, who received the assignment on behalf of MAB said: “For us, it is a great honor to receive this award named in memory of Berta Cáceres. Berta, who guides as a star illuminating our struggles in Latin America in defense of life, our rivers and our nature. “

Berta Zúñiga, daughter of Berta Cáceres and coordinator of the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), said in a video projected during the ceremony and accompanied by a womens group of COPINH: “We congratulate the Movement of the People Affected by Dams from Brazil for and we say from Honduras that we recognize the important work in defense of the victims of this murderous capitalism, which to enrich the great entrepreneurs in the energy sector has affected the lives of millions of people, who today are victims of this system of death. We hope MAB continues its fight. “

Joceli Andrioli, from MAB’s coordination, said: “We know that Latin America, and especially Brazil, is experiencing a very difficult moment when the clutches of US imperialism try to impose its devastating neoliberal model and turn Brazil into a mere subservient colony. But we continue in the fight because we know that this system kills. A clear example is the crimes committed by Vale, such as Brumadinho on January 25^th, which killed more than 300 people, and still there are people that are not found. We will continue denouncing and firm in the struggle of the movement so that crimes such as those of Brumadinho and Mariana will be punished and will not happen again. “

MAB, took the opportunity to denounce the extremely serious situation of the Congo Soco mine in Barão de Cocais, Minas Gerais, also of Vale, which entered a maximum risk of rupture, and is estimated to break from this Sunday, 19: “At this very moment, another dam of Vale is in imminent danger, in Barão de Cocais, Minas Gerais, and it was announced that the rupture can happen in these days. So it is a moment of great injustice in Brazil, generated by the profit of capital and this neoliberal model that privatized public companies and constantly endangers human beings and the environment. ” Andrioli renewed the commitment: “The moment we receive this award, we renew this commitment as MAB to stay firm in the fight. Even in this unfavorable context we have hope. We will continue to strive for the right to live and to dream. “