To whom it may concern,
I am Almir Narayamoga Surui, Chief of the Paiter Surui indigenous people. Our
population lives on the “Sete de Setembro indigenous territory” in the state of
Rondônia, Brazil.
This is my cry of alarm, please listen to me!
Since the beginning of this year 2016, we are undergoing a total invasion of
deforesters and miners of diamonds and gold. Every day, 300 trucks leave our
territory filled with wood, which represents 600 hectares of deforested forests. And
it continues to increase, whilst according to the Constitution of Brazil, it is illegal to
deforest an indigenous reservation. On the ground, the illegal loggers have heavy
means, with Caterpillar machines. We have found mercury and cyanide in 3 rivers
of Surui territory because of the miners!
The implications are terrible. In addition to environmental damage (and the
challenge to our way of life), these invasions directly endanger our families and our
children. Indeed, we are under the threat of weapons of loggers and miners! Either
one collaborates, or they put a gun to our heads! In addition, they try to bribe some
of my people with money. For lack of alternatives, some of my people accept
against their first resolve to protect the forest
. The situation is terrible!
We, the Surui indigenous people are the first to have set up a REDD+ project to
save the Amazon forest, lung of our planet. But these invasions undermine the
Agreement of REDD and goes against the spirit of the agreement of the COP21!
Despite our appeals for help against this mafia, the new government did not react.
By their silence, they are silent accomplices of this destruction of the forest and our
people!
We do not know what to do, Help!
As citizens, NGOs or institutions, you can help us in 4 ways .:
1. We ask you to write to the Brazilian embassies in your own countries to express
your outrage and ask the new Brazilian government to intervene quickly.
2. We also ask you to boycott all Brazilian products as the Brazilian government
does not react.
3. We ask the different political bodies to establish an international observer
mission on deforestation.
4. Finally, on behalf of the Surui people and of all indigenous people who are trying
to protect the Amazon rainforest, in the name of our struggle to preserve a future
for all children of this planet at the price of our lives, in the name hope for the
future, we ask you to distribute this letter to all your contacts in the world and on
social networks, because today we are all connected in a common destiny.
Thanking you,
Almir Narayamoga Surui
Leader of the Paiter Surui Indigenous People
Rua Geraldo Cardos Campos 4343, Cacoal, Rondonia, Brasil
ASSOCIAÇÃO METAREILÁ DO POVO INDÍGENA PAITER SURUI
Cacoal, RO, Brasil, 13 october 2016
