 |
Amazonian Tribe Murdered for Gold -
Urge Brazil to Improve Efforts to Protect Indigneous Peoples
Urge Brazil to Improve Efforts to Protect Indigneous Peoples
| ||||
Dear friends, Indigenous people blatantly murdered for precious gold by greedy prospectors — you'd think this story was straight from the movies, but it's reality. Last week, news broke that up to ten people of a previously un-contacted Amazonian tribe in Brazil had been murdered by illegal gold miners. And if we don't act now, it could happen again. These Indigenous peoples live on lands that are meant to be protected.The National Indian Foundation, better known as FUNAI, is the principal governmental body charged with "preventing invasions of indigenous territories by outsiders." But under President Temer, the agency's budget has been slashed. As a result, two bases were recently closedin the very region where the alleged massacre took place. Brazil is home to hundreds of both contacted and non-contacted indigenous groups that live off the beaten path in protected lands like this Amazonian tribe. FUNAI's work is essential to their survival and we must stand up to ensure that this agency is well-funded so they can do their job. President Temer's administration has already faced criticism for its pro-business and anti-environment policies. Now lives have literally been lost because of these policies. We cannot let this go unnoticed. It is time Temer and his administration recognize the consequences of their terrible FUNAI budget cuts and start to take the protection of Brazil's indigenous peoples seriously. Thank you,
|
 |