25.05.2009
Freedom for the Political Prisoners of Pará
4 workers remain in prison. Help us free them!

In Belém, the State Capital of Pará, 18 rural workers were arrested on April 26 during a mobilization for the rights of those affected by the Tucurui dam. On May 15, 14 of them were liberated, however four (one woman and three men) remain in custody because they were considered leaders of the mobilization, a fact that confirms the denunciation of social movements that these were politically motivated imprisonments, in the effort of the state to criminalize our struggle for justice. Today the comrades complete one month imprisoned.

These comrades are fighting for the rights of those affected by the Tucurui dam, which have been denied for more than 25 years. During all this period, big multinational companies like Alcoa and Vale, have been, and continue, benefiting by cheap energy generated in the Tucuruí hydroelectric plant. These companies pay on average 5 cents per KWh while the Brazilian people pay on average 50 cents per KWh.

The release of the 14 comrades was the result of a wide and strong solidarity campaign directed to the authorities. Now it is time to press for the release of the four remaining comrades imprisoned in the same mobilization. It is not fair to imprison fishermen and rural workers fighting for better life conditions while the murderers of Nun Dorothy Stang remain free.

Facing this situation we have to invest all our efforts and apply bigger pressure for their quick release. We are determined to keep our solidarity camp in Tucuruí and continue with negotiations. We are also asking for your support for a political protest directed to the Appeals Court Judge Maria de Nazaré Silva Gouveia dos Santos (des.nazare.gouveia@tj.pa.gov.br, +55 (91)3205.3603 / 3602 / 3601).

We are grateful for your solidarity so far and want to assure you that it is fundamental for the liberation of our comrades, our political prisoners!

Water and Energy are not Commodities!

Daiane Hohn, Sonia Mara Maranho and Luiz Dalla Costa
From the Coordination of MAB - Brazil