Death threats strike again. Rural Brazil has long been known for violent death threats against environmental activists–threats that are carried out all too frequently. Chico Mendes, Dorothy Stang: these were people who cared deeply for the people and environments of Brazil and were gunned down without remorse in the name of political and financial gain. In the latest development, Ivete Bastos, president of the biggest farmer’s union of the Amazon, in the municipality of Santarém in the State of Pará, has received numerous death threats, and they’re getting worse. Those who threaten her life say they would not kill her like the others with just a bullet, but torture her to death.
Ivete has been at the forefront of the peaceful movement for land reform and justice for the traditional communities of the Amazon rainforest. We are gravely concerned about her safety.
The Conselho Nacional dos Seringueiros (National Council of Rubber Tappers–CNS) is behind this drive to bring attention to the plight of environmental activists in Brazil.
The National Council of Rubber Tappers (CNS) first formed in Brazil in the 1980s to advocate for the rights of local rubber tappers to protect their forested lands from ranchers and loggers. A large part of their work revolves around the creation of extractive reserves—reserves that are sustainably managed by local communities for rubber extraction and other alternative forest products. Over the years, this organization has become a key platform from which to voice concern over development projects supported by the government and international finance institutions such as the World Bank.
Collaboration and cooperation are the backbone of the Council’s approach to conservation and sustainable development. Led by grassroots activists, rubber tappers, small-scale farmers, and other community members, CNS has established successful and productive partnerships with state and local governments and the Amazon Working Group. Peaceful advocacy and mobilization work—especially in the face of the often violent tactics used by their opponents—is the hallmark of their strategy for achieving social and environmental change.
CNS recently received a grant through Global Greengrants Fund at the recommendation of the El Norte Foundation to acquire a fixed headquarters space in Belém. Belém—the capital of Brazil’s northern state of Pará—is where community members who may live many miles away on their land come together to share experiences, strategize, and negotiate with government officials. This new space offers a place for visitors to rest after their travels and meet at all hours of the day, as well as providing lodging for community activists can’t afford to stay in hotels. CNS moved in to their new house in December and since then it has already served as a haven for a delegation from Oeiras, Pará, which came to Belém to alert the Public Ministry about the deforestation happening on their reserve. They were so happy to have a place to stay, relax and discuss the next steps!!
Formed by one of the first well-known environmental activists around the world, Chico Mendes, CNS continues their struggle to bring justice and community involvement to some of the most isolated areas of Brazil.