On Thursday, April 24, representatives of "Grito da Terra" (The Cry
of the Land), a coalition of Brazilian organizations addressing rural
issues, will meet with the Brazilian Minister of Energy and Mines to
present a series of demands from dam-affected populations in Brazil.
"Grito da Terra" is comprised of the Confederation of Agricultural
Workers (CONTAG), the Central Labor Union (CUT), the Coordination of
Brazilian Indigenous Peoples' Mobilizations (CAPOIB), the National Movement
of Fisherfolk (MONAPE), the National Rubber Tappers' Council (CNS), and the
Brazilian Movement of Dam-Affected People (MAB).
*****THE ORGANIZATIONS OF GRITO DA TERRA ASK YOU TO WRITE THE
ENERGY AND MINES MINISTER (By fax, if possible) BEFORE THE 24TH
TO EXPRESS YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE DEMANDS OF DAM-AFFECTED PEOPLE IN
BRAZIL, AND TO SEND A COPY OF YOUR LETTER TO THE BRAZILIAN
PRESIDENT*****
Please send your letters to:
1. Exmo. Sr. Raimundo Mendes de Brito
Ministro de Minas e Energia
Esplanada de Ministerios - Bloco U
70.065-900 Brasilia, D.F., Brasil
by fax: +55.61.321.5547
2. Exmo. Sr. Fernando Henrique Cardoso
Presidente da Republica
Palacio do Planalto
70.160-900 Brasilia, D.F., Brasil
by fax: +55.61.226.7566
3. (optional copy to:)
Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragens (Brazilian Dam-Affected Movement)
Rua da Consolacao 21, 9 and.
Centro
01301-000 Sao Paulo, SP, Brasil
by fax: +55.11.3159.4253
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SAMPLE LETTER:
Dear Sir:
We support the demands of "Grito da Terra" for urgently needed reforms to
improve the condition of rural workers in Brazil. In particular, we urge
that a comprehensive agrarian reform take place, that immediate measures be
taken to strengthen the situation of family farmers, that steps be taken to
guarantee humane living and working conditions, with improved education and
health care, justice in the countryside, an end to child labor and slavery,
and protection of indigenous lands.
With respect to populations affected by large dams, we urge you to take
action to comply with all agreements with dam-affected people, to enact
comprehensive programs of environmental protection and social mitigation
before project construction begins, with strict observance of all
environmental laws, and to resolve all environmental and social issues
remaining on large dams already under construction before these projects
are allowed to move ahead.
Lands of indigenous peoples and descendents of escaped slaves (quilombos)
should be demarcated and excluded from consideration for dam construction.
We also support MAB's position against the privatization of large dams,
since even now, decisions on such projects do not permit democratic
participation by affected people.
Sincerely,
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A complete list of the demands of the Brazilian Movement of Dam-Affected
People which will be presented to the Minister of Mines and Energy is
available from International Rivers Network.
Thank you.
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South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC)
P.O. Box 28703
Oakland CA, 94604
Phone: (510)834-4263 Fax: (510)834-4264
Email: saiic@igc.apc.org
Office: 1714 Franklin Street, 3rd Floor, Oakland
Home Page: http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/nativeweb/abyayala/orgs/saiic/
For more information about SAIIC, send an empty email message to:
saiic-info@igc.apc.org