The murder of a native and a journalist paved the way for an “unprecedented” image crisis for Brazil that has previously been the target of questions, criticism and international concern. For seasoned diplomats heard by the columnist, the confirmation of the deaths of Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips deepens an unease and could “bury” any attempt to relocate Jair Bolsonaro’s government abroad.
The column found that from now on, there will be intense pressure on Brazilian authorities to conduct an impartial and independent investigation into the deaths, with the British government, the UN and international organizations demanding such actions.
Within Itamaraty, it has been ordered in recent days to convey information to international institutions and foreign governments that the government is determined to look for these two men. But Brazil’s word, which for years lacked the credibility of denial, was met with disdain.
According to former ambassadors, the current case may have a greater impact than that of Chico Mendes or Dorothy Stang, both murder for their work in the woods. Today, they say, the Amazon is at the center of international debate, and the Brazilian government under democracy has never been so criticized abroad as it is now.
The litigation may also have economic and commercial implications. Last year, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund – in Norway – cut investments in Brazil, citing the country’s crisis in terms of both human rights and environmental issues.
Scenarios prepared by diplomats show that this trend may now increase. There is no confidence in Brazil’s word that it is acting to defend the Amazon, indigenous people or activists.
Trade deals that had already been ratified with serious difficulty would now be frozen. One of them includes Mercosur and the European Union. The column found that this Thursday, indigenous Brazilians were planning an action in front of the European Parliament in honor of the two dead. However, the incident adds to the pressure for Europeans to disapprove of any trade rapprochement with Brazil.
Members of foreign governments say there will be a fierce international backlash and will point to the purge Bolsonaro has promoted in all environmental and human rights policy in the country.
At the UN, officials at the faction’s highest level are highlighting the inconsistency of a situation of violence that is only now gaining international news due to the presence of a foreign victim. But the agency acknowledges that pressure from foreign governments to make more demands on Brazil will increase.
Last week, the UN criticized the government’s “extremely slow” response in the search for the two men and attacked President Jair Bolsonaro’s comments that defamed the native and the journalist’s work.
A day later, it was up to Tovar Nunes, Brazil’s ambassador to the UN, to deny Bachelet and say the government was acting against illegal activity in the indigenous reserves. He also highlighted programs aimed at protecting environmentalists and journalists.
There is only one interpretation in the UN corridors: Who will believe Brazil’s word?
There will also be pressure from non-governmental organizations. Laura Canineu, Brazil director of Human Rights Watch, made it clear that the charges would continue. It calls for the investigation process to be conducted “in a full, independent and impartial manner, in full compliance with the law”. It is essential that the investigation sheds light on the circumstances and motivation of the crime and leads to accountability for all involved,” she said.
“This is a great tragedy for the Bruno and Dom families, as well as for anyone defending the Amazon and the rights of indigenous peoples, and anyone reporting these issues and providing visibility on these issues,” he said.
“Immediate and strong action is urgently needed by the federal government, state governors, and federal and state public ministries to combat illegality and criminal networks on Amazon,” he added.
source: Noticias
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