06.03.2009

March 14 – International day of struggle against dams, in defence of the rivers, water and life.

The Movement of Dam Affected People (MAB) invites all entities, organizations, activists and social movements to join us in the mobilizations of the International Day of Struggle Against Dams on March 14. On this day, dam affected communities throughout the world denounce the energy model which has caused severe social, economic, cultural and environmental problems. According to the report by the World Commission on Dams (entity linked to the UN) there are 80 million people affected directly and indirectly by the construction of hydroelectric dams throughout the world.

In Brazil, dams have displaced more than 1 million people and have inundated more than 34.000 Km² of farmlands and forests. We denounce these projects which basically privilege multinational companies that exploit natural resources and destroy life in the name of “development” and profits. In order to facilitate the expansion of this model, the federal and state governments and the judiciary emit environmental licenses in record times and authorize expropriations of lands for the construction of dams.

Recent years have been marked by the rapid expansion of national and international companies wanting to control vital natural resources such as minerals, water, seeds, food crops, oil and electricity. All these common goods have been turned into commodities and are controlled by heavy energy consuming industrial sectors. The current crisis of capitalism clearly demonstrates the unsustainability, insanity and profit-driven character of this production and consumption model. MAB believes it is necessary to construct a new development model focused on the establishment of fair and sound life conditions for the working class.

Our central commitment is to be organized and join the struggle against multinational companies and fight for the rights of workers, in defence of the rivers, water and life. The mobilizations of March 14 will be focused on finding solutions for the enormous social and environmental debt of dam construction and on strengthening the search for an alternative energy model. Therefore this call is not directed only to the dam affected population but to the general population, the real victim of high energy tariffs, the privatization of water and energy and the investment of public money through the National Bank of Economic and Social Development (BNDES) on private projects.

There are alternatives

The current economic crisis and the resulting drop in energy consumption, open the possibility to seek a profound restructuring of the energy model, oriented by the real needs of the society and the elimination of its current contradictions, a model which will guarantee energy sovereignty based on a popular project.

Therefore, it is our duty to fight, resist and construct a new energy model for a new society!

Water for life, not for death!
Water and energy are not commodities!

Movement of Dam Affected People-Brazil