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13.03.2009
 Brazil’s Federal Police Arrest Bolivians Who Participated in MAB Encampment
 in Porto Velho to Protest Dams on Madeira River
 The arrests occurred following yesterday’s visit by President Lula to the dams’ worksites

March 13, 2009

Today at noon, during a protest in front of the Agrarian Reform Institute (INCRA), by communities impacted by dams on the Madeira River, Brazil’s Federal Police arrested four activists of social movements and indigenous organizations of Bolivia, part of the Pando province Peasants’ Federation, who were participating in the encampment which had been set up last Wednesday.

Arrested and threatened with deportation are Manuel Lima, Doris Domiguez, Isaias Ferreyra e Jean Dominguez. Leaders of Brazil’s Dam-Affected Peoples Movement and supporters are in contact with organizations in Bolivia who have requested that the Bolivian chancellor intervene on their behalf, given that the protestors have a visa which permits a two-week stay in Brazil.

Following the actions by the Federal Police, the Movement of Dam-Affected People denounces that the construction of dams on the Madeira River would impact Bolivian territory and communities, but that Bolivia has not been consulted by the companies promoting these projects. In a meeting in Guatemala, last September, the Latin America Water Tribunal recommended that the Brazilian government consider the impacts on Bolivia of the two dams currently in construction on the Madeira River, but so far, Brazil has not followed these recommendations.

The Bolivian farmers and indigenous organizations are partners of MAB in common proposals for action and for treatment of riverbank communities, and have already participated in various activities in Brazil. “Against the effective integration of peoples, the state responds with repression, in partnership with capital. After the action orchestrated by the military police in arresting farmers in Rio Grande do Sul, now the victims of this dictatorship are us, and our Bolivian companions,” say leaders of MAB in Rondônia state.

 

..:    Movement of Dam Affected People  |  Brasil    :..