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Bolsonaros Brazil: Several steps in the wrong direction


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As previously mentioned in the beginning of the campaign, Brazil's most problematic political situation relates to the trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur in numerous ways. The agreement's ambition that all countries implement the Paris Agreement and accompanying conditions, unfortunately will not have a major impact given the current crisis in Brazil. There, the climate and environmental policies go in an entirely different direction under the leadership of president Jair Bolsonaro, who continues to twist and distort the truth around the situation in the Amazon.
Under Bolsonaros leadership fires, devastation, and violence have greatly risen while he somehow simultaneously claims that Brazil has become a safer country. Devastation has hit a new record high, and the president has ensured that Brazil's budget for addressing the bigger picture of climate change lays at zero after a staggering 95% reduction. Bolsonaro has also simultaneously removed the control mechanisms that were able to previously control and minimize destruction in the Amazon. This is directly in line with the president's environmental crisis denying policy, which is one of the worst threats to the Amazons future. These actions however are not at all in line with the proposed EU and Mercosur trade agreement, which states that Brazil must stop illegal deforestation in the Amazon and reduce carbon emissions by 35% by the year 2025. How could a trade agreement with the EU result in these goals being met, when Jair Bolsonaro shows absolutely no indication towards saving the environment? His nonchalance has resulted in an impunity that gives the green light to landowners to set fires to free up grazing land. In addition, Bolsonaro has actively tried to open up indigenous territories to agriculture, mining, and enforced policies that promote “land grabbing” in indigenous areas, implying that land seized illegally should be legalized for agriculture. Around a year ago, he even sent a bill to congress in which he proposed that indigenous reserves be opened up to mining and oil drilling. Bolsonaro said to critics “Indigenous groups will be allowed to give their opinion on proposed projects, but cannot stop them”. This is yet another gross display by the president showing just how far Brazil's policies are from a sustainable future.
Furthermore, the trade agreement will develop a framework for how the parties should address human rights, with special regard to indigenous peoples. The trade section of the agreement includes decisions that encourage indigenous communities' role in sustainable supply chain management of agricultural products and collaboration on social projects that involve these communities. Through ratifying the agreement in its current form, the EU is choosing a path that continues environmental degradation and is actively participating in the attacks against indigenous people and their rights as advocated by the Bolsonaro government. In the organisation Ferns recommendations for reform of the trade agreement, they call for the EU to support good forest management in Brazil. The EU should pressure Brazil to adopt policies that protect the rainforest and human rights, and see to that the political space in Brazil opens up to civil society that wants to preserve the rainforest and indigenous peoples. We at Amazon Watch stand behind this and call for even more activism. Given the political climate it is now more important than ever to support the indigenous groups who actively work against Bolsonaros policies and for the good of the rainforest.

  • Muhammad Fahd Khan

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    201 w

    What kind of legacy this president is trying to have?

    • Ingmar Rentzhog

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      201 w

      Very sad news. Thanks for all your work!

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