Concern Over Belo Monte Violation of Indigenous Rights

Rainforest Foundation UK's sister organisation Rainforest Foundation Norway (RFN) have today announced their deep concern that the world's third biggest hydro power dam, the Belo Monte in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, has been granted an official environmental licence to go ahead.

RFN Director Lars Løvold stated, "There has been no proper consultation with the indigenous peoples who will be affected by this mega-project, which is in violation of Brazil's legal obligations as a party to ILO Convention 169 on the rights of indigenous peoples. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been severely criticized on a number of issues, including underestimating the number of people affected and the loss of biodiversity, while overestimating the potential energy generation. It is essential that the Brazilian authorities respect the affected indigenous populations' right to free, prior an informed consent, and that such a huge construction is not rushed through as a stand-alone project, but is treated as a potential element in an overall strategic plan for energy projects the Amazon."

Read the BBC report on the licence approval HERE.

NB - It is the Foundation's Norway office that currently works within this area of Brazil. The photo above of Founding Patron Sting and Chief Raoni was taken in late 2009 at a press conference condemning this project (Credit:Beto Ricardo/ISA).

› Download our factsheet on the history, issues and concerns about the Belo Monte dam