Renowned Amazon Forest Activist Killed
Paulo Paulino was one of the most prominent activists fighting to protect the Amazon rainforests. Illegal loggers shot him dead. Critics say the Brazilian government is complicit in this crime.
Paulo Paulino, an indigenous environmental activist in Maranhão state in Brazil, was shot and killed by illegal loggers. Local authorities and the human rights organization “International Rescue” confirmed this news.
Another environmental activist who was with Paulo was wounded but managed to escape. The two environmental activists were members of the “Forest Guardians” group, which works to prevent deforestation and the illegal cutting of trees in areas where indigenous peoples live.
Prosecuting the Perpetrators
According to the International Rescue office in Maranhão, the two environmental activists from the Guajajara tribe had left their village to collect water from the forest. There, “at least five armed men” surrounded them. According to local authorities, after this incident, one of the loggers went missing. Reports that this person was also killed during the attack on the environmental activists have not been confirmed.
Sergio Moro, Brazil’s justice minister, wrote on Twitter that he has ordered an investigation by the police regarding Paulo Paulino’s killing. Moro wrote that “bringing those responsible in this case to trial is important.”
Greenpeace also condemned the deadly attack on the two Brazilian environmental activists. The organization stated that the 26-year-old Paulino and his injured companion are “the youngest victims of a government that violates constitutional principles.” Greenpeace called the Brazilian government “incapable of fulfilling its duty to protect indigenous activists and their territories.”
Protecting the Amazon Against Illegal Tree Cutting
Sara Shanker, who visited the Amazon a few months ago on behalf of the International Rescue organization, told the French news agency that despite constantly receiving threatening letters, Paulino remained committed to his fight to protect the forests. The fact that the Brazilian government is not fulfilling its duty causes indigenous people to take on the “difficult and dangerous task” of protecting the forests themselves.
The “Forest Guardians” group was founded by the large Guajajara tribe in Maranhão state. Members of this tribe number more than 14,000. The goal of this group’s activists is to protect areas belonging to indigenous peoples against tree cutting and the expansion of agricultural lands. The group also assists in firefighting efforts to extinguish forest fires.
Increased Violence in Indigenous Protected Areas
Critics of the Brazilian government hold the country’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, responsible for the increase in violence in indigenous protected areas. According to critics, the indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforest can no longer move freely in their own lands. They receive no protection, and no action is taken against those who illegally enter indigenous territories.
The Brazilian president has faced severe criticism for months due to his controversial environmental policies. He is accused of preferring to allow the Amazon to be plundered by merchants.
Bolsonaro has close ties to the Brazilian agricultural industry lobby and doubts that humans bear any responsibility for the state of the environment.
Source: DW
