TAKE ACTION: Support Justice for Families After Two Dam Collapses!

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Let’s finally end the years of tragedies from Vale's dam collapses

Brazilian families are still seeking justice

This past January 25th marked three years since the tragedy of the Brumadinho dam collapse in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Millions of cubic meters of toxic mining sludge were released, killing 272 people, burying entire communities, and poisoning the Paraopeba and São Francisco Rivers. It has also been six years since the Mariana dam disaster in the same region, which also devastated communities and the environment.

Today, communities continue to live with the devastating consequences of both tragedies, and instead of getting the support they need, they are being criminalized for demanding justice.

Together with our partner the Movement of People Affected by Dams, we are asking for your solidarity to bring long-overdue justice to those impacted by the Brumadinho and Mariana disasters and to help put a stop to ongoing corporate impunity and government complicity in these and other cases.

Please join us in demanding that Brazilian officials:

Act quickly, without further delay, to take action to repair the harm done to impacted communities and the environment;
Ensure the participation of affected communities in all decision-making processes concerning them;
Center the needs of those impacted and follow the principle of reversing the burden of proof;
Guarantee the non-criminalization of those affected by the disasters; and
Guarantee the freedom of organization of those affected.

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Let’s finally end the years of tragedies from Vale's dam collapses

English translation of letter:

Situation of those affected by Vale's crimes in Mariana (Rio Doce Basin) and Brumadinho (Paraopeba River Basin) MG and ES.

This past January 25th marked three years since the tragic Brumadinho dam break disaster in Minas Gerais, in which millions of cubic meters of toxic mining sludge were released, killing 272 people, burying entire communities, and poisoning the Paraopeba and São Francisco Rivers. It has also been six years since the nearby Mariana dam disaster, which also devastated communities and the environment.

In addition to suffering the immediate consequences of these disasters, the communities impacted by them continue suffering into the present. There are still families who have not buried their dead; thousands of families continue to face precarious conditions, without support to rebuild; the river water remains contaminated with tailings and cannot be used for daily activities to support and generate income. Many face illness from contamination, as well as facing psychological impacts, evidenced by an increase in cases of depression and suicide. The floods that occurred at the beginning of this year have intensified these already dire circumstances.

Meanwhile, the corporation responsible for both disasters, the Vale mining corporation, continues its deadly operations with impunity. Recently, Vale established an agreement with the State of Minas Gerais government without the participation of those affected. The criminal case against the Vale was transferred to the federal sphere, in what is feared to be yet another maneuver to keep the company unpunished. Furthermore, the judge who had been overseeing the case aimed to criminalize those affected, including through restricting their freedom of organization. It became a scenario of investigating the victims instead of investigating those responsible for the crimes or demanding measures to restore the lives of people and the environment. Impacted communities are living with threats, persecution, and an attempt to fragment their struggle for justice.

As concerned members of the international community, we stand in solidarity with all those impacted by the Brumadinho and Mariana disasters and call upon you to:

Act quickly, without further delay, to define actions related to the repairing the harm done to the people affected and to the environment;
Ensure the participation of affected communities in all decision-making processes concerning them;
Act following the principle of the centrality of the victims’ pain and the principle of reversing the burden of proof;
Guarantee the non-criminalization of those affected by the disasters; and
Guarantee the freedom of organization of those affected.

Sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

Targets for Brumadinho action(s)

Subject: Situação dos Atingidos/as pelos crimes da Vale em Mariana (Bacia do Rio Doce) e Brumadinho (Bacia do Rio Paraopeba) MG e ES.

Message:

Prezado oficial público,
O último dia 25 de janeiro marcou três anos desde o trágico desastre do rompimento da barragem de Brumadinho em Minas Gerais, no qual milhões de metros cúbicos de lodo tóxico de mineração foram liberados, matando 272 pessoas, soterrando comunidades inteiras e contaminando os rios Paraopeba e São Francisco. Também se passaram seis anos desde o desastre da barragem de Mariana na mesma região, que também devastou comunidades e o meio ambiente.

Além de sofrer as consequências imediatas desses desastres, as comunidades impactadas por eles continuam sofrendo até o presente. Ainda há famílias que não enterraram seus mortos; milhares de famílias continuam em condições precárias, sem apoio para a reconstrução; a água do rio permanece contaminada com rejeitos e não pode ser utilizada para as atividades diárias de sustento e geração de renda. Muitos enfrentam o adoecimento pela contaminação, além de enfrentarem impactos psicológicos, evidenciados pelo aumento dos casos de depressão e suicídio. As inundações que ocorreram no início deste ano intensificaram essas circunstâncias já terríveis.

Enquanto isso, a corporação responsável por ambos os desastres, a mineradora Vale, continua impunemente com suas operações mortíferas. Recentemente, a Vale firmou um acordo com o governo do Estado de Minas Gerais sem a participação dos atingidos. O processo criminal contra a Vale foi transferido para a esfera federal, no que se teme ser mais uma manobra para manter a empresa impune. Além disso, o juiz que acompanhava o caso pretendia criminalizar os atingidos, inclusive por meio da restrição de sua liberdade de organização. Tornou-se um cenário de investigação das vítimas em vez de investigar os responsáveis pelos crimes ou exigir medidas para restaurar a vida das pessoas e o meio ambiente. As comunidades impactadas estão vivendo com ameaças, perseguições e uma tentativa de fragmentar sua luta por justiça.

Como preocupados membros da comunidade internacional, nos solidarizamos com todos os atingidos pelos desastres de Brumadinho e Mariana e pedimos que:

1) Agir de forma célere, sem demora, na definição das ações relativas à reparação dos atingidos e do meio ambiente;
2) Assegurar a participação das comunidades atingidas em todos os processos decisórios a seu respeito;
3) Agir de acordo com o princípio da centralidade da dor da vítima e com o princípio da inversão do ônus da prova;
4) Garantir a não criminalização dos atingidos pelos desastres; e
5) Garantir a liberdade de organização dos atingidos.

Atenciosamente,

Let’s finally end the years of tragedies from Vale's dam collapses

Let’s finally end the years of tragedies from Vale's dam collapses

English translation of letter:

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Let’s finally end the years of tragedies from Vale's dam collapses

Let’s finally end the years of tragedies from Vale's dam collapses

English translation of letter:

Sorry, we're not targeting any representatives in your district. But, you can still help!

Other ways to help!

Thank You!

Taking action is just the first step.