Brazil Indigenous Leaders Sue Bolsonaro For 'crimes Against Humanity'
Faizan Hashmi Published January 23, 2021 | 08:31 PM
Two top Brazilian indigenous leaders have asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate President Jair Bolsonaro for "crimes against humanity", accusing him of unprecedented environmental damage, killings and persecution
Paris, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2021 ) :Two top Brazilian indigenous leaders have asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate President Jair Bolsonaro for "crimes against humanity", accusing him of unprecedented environmental damage, killings and persecution.
Chief Raoni Metuktire, the leader of the Kayapo people, and Chief Almir Narayamoga Surui, leader of the Paiter Surui tribe, filed the claim at The Hague-based body on Friday.
Since Bolsonaro became president in January 2019, "the destruction of the Amazonian forest has accelerated without measure," said the complaint to the ICC, reported by France's Le Monde newspaper on Saturday.
It said deforestation had rocketed "by 34.5 percent in a year, the assassination of indigenous leaders is at an 11-year high and environmental agencies have collapsed or faced threats." The two leaders said killings, the forced transfers of local peoples and persecution constituted "crimes against humanity." Bolsonaro's government has proposed legislation that would relax restrictions within Amazon regions on commercial mining, oil and gas extraction, and large-scale agriculture.
Activists are pushing for ecocide to be added to the crimes prosecuted by the ICC, alongside genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The issue was raised by the Maldives and Vanuatu at the ICC general assembly in December 2019.
"This situation, the most dramatic in the last 10 years, is a direct result of the policies of Jair Bolsonaro", who wants to "lift all the barriers to plunder the wealth of the Amazon," the suit said, also singling out mining firms.
It said the "destruction of the Amazon forest... was a direct danger not only for Brazilians but for all humanity." In July last year, health workers in Brazil had also urged the ICC to probe Bolsonaro for crimes against humanity over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A month earlier Chief Raoni had told AFP in an interview that Bolsonaro was trying to use the pandemic to eliminate indigenous people.
Brazil's immunisation programme has been widely criticised for being late and chaotic, not least given Bolsonaro's opposition.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 23 April 2024
Islam enlightened world with its teachings about knowledge: Dr Jamileh
Record London close as oil prices drop on easing Middle East fears
TV tower in Kharkiv struck as Russia captured village
LCCI language courses from May 1
Governor for service oriented governance in Punjab
Survivors tell of panic at C.Africa river boat disaster
Enrolment campaign, awareness walk held in Lower Chitral
“Say no to plastic- yes to tress” campaign kicks off in Attock
'PML-N secures people's trust in by-polls'
More Stories From World
-
More than 50,000 displaced by clashes in northern Ethiopia: UN
23 minutes ago -
Tensions flare at US universities over Gaza protests
1 hour ago -
Taiwan hit by dozens of strong aftershocks from deadly quake
1 hour ago -
Trump faces contempt hearing for comments on witnesses
1 hour ago -
Malaysia military helicopters crash, killing 10
1 hour ago -
China issues highest-level rainstorm warning in southern Guangdong: weather agency
1 hour ago
-
Asia hit hardest by climate, weather disasters in 2023:UN
1 hour ago -
Murray buzzer-beater lifts Nuggets over Lakers, Knicks stun Sixers
1 hour ago -
Musk lashes Australian order demanding X remove stabbing videos
1 hour ago -
In world first, Venice to trial day tickets
1 hour ago -
Highest-level rainstorm warning issued in south China's Guangdong
1 hour ago -
Rwandan LGBTQ fashion designer plans comeback after arrest
2 hours ago