Audience with President Lula reveals divergences in energy policy and advances in the treatment of social issues

On the 4^th of February representatives of the Movement of Dam Affected People (MAB) were received by President Lula in Brasilia. MAB presented the president with a letter where it reinforced its absolute opposition to the construction of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Dam and criticized the current attitude of the government towards the electricity sector, where private companies are dominating the production, transmission and distribution of energy.

MAB also suggested that a serious revision of the high electricity tariffs should take place and that mechanisms should be created so that the companies which unlawfully profited more than R$ 10 billion in the last 10 years, refund these resources in the form of collective investments to the municipalities of the country. In addition, the representatives pointed out the increased violence and criminalization of the leaders of MAB and other social movements.

The president acknowledged the government did not agree to all the points made, however, he assumed once again the historic debt of the State with the dam affected populations and affirmed his belief that all people should have the conditions to live with dignity. For the President, policies should be constructed for the recognition of the dam affected families as such. He considered the audience with MAB as the first of future meetings and that the new meetings should occur after considering with the relevant ministries the demands of the Movement.

In the meeting, the government responded positively to some of the demands of MAB, amongst them the guarantee that the dam affected people will have priority to a series of existing government programs.

According to the coordinators of MAB, the audience made clear that there are strong differences between the Movement and the Government regarding the construction of dams and the general energy policy of the State. On the other hand they recognized the will of the State to asses various suggestions regarding the social issues of the dam affected populations. According to Josivaldo de Oliveira from the National Coordination “despite the positive signs from this meeting, MAB understands that the only way forward for the Movement is to strengthen its organization and fight to guarantee all the rights of the dam affected people”.

Ceasing the opportunity of this meeting, MAB, in the name of Via Campesina, presented a letter with suggestions for assistance to the people of Haiti devastated by last month’s earthquake. Lula promised that he will follow the materialization of these suggestions and go personally to the country in the following days to assess the policies implemented for the recovery of Haiti.

Communication Sector - MAB
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