Political rights of those affected by dams is discussed in Rondônia state

Coordinators of grassroots groups in the regions affected by the dams of Santo Antonio and Jirau (Madeira river) and Samuel (Jamari river) amongst representatives of social movements and organizations such as Via Campesina and the Platform of Energy Workers and Peasants attended the State Meeting of MAB in Rondônia.

Among the discussion points of the meeting are the creation of the National Rights of Affected Population and the debate on the national energy sector. “You have to understand the energy sector, for what and for whom they produce, and focuss on the companies behind, as in the case of the Rio Madeira, GDF Suez-Tractebel and Odebrecht, principal owners of Jirau and Santo Antônio. The privatisation of the sector creates affected, not only those living at he river side, but also workers at the construction sites, inhabitants of cities close by and in every citizen who pays his energy bill” said the coordination of the MAB.

For MAB the rights policy must ensure a satisfactory repair of the rights of people affected by dams, must create governamental bodies and a fund of repairs, together with a mechanisms for a profound process of popular participation and control.

“We have a commitment with the Brazilian people to denounce the violations of human rights that worsen every moment with the construction of hydroelectric power plants in Brazil, as in Rondônia. There is a historic liability to the populations affected by the Energy plant Samuel. The plants of Santo Antônio and Jirau brought deplorable consequences to the affected families. Porto Velho, Jaci Paraná, Baixo Madeira and other regions suffer from the impacts generated by the constructions. We need to join forces to achieve a policy that will give legal support, legal rights of those affected” emphasized.

Meetings like this are part of the actions happening across the country, organised by the Movement of Dam. They mark the international day of struggle against dams, and for rivers, water and life, celebrated on March 14. That date was set in 1997, when Brazil hosted the 1st International Meeting of People Affected by Dams and since then, populations affected worldwide denounce the energy model that historically has caused serious social, economic, cultural and environmental damages.