Sônia Guajajara, the leader of Articulação dos Povos Indígenas do Brasil (APBI) which represents more than 300 Brazilian indigenous groups, said: “We are afraid of a new genocide against the indigenous population and we are not going to wait for it to happen. Bolsonaro has promised to increase commodity production by scrapping regulations protecting the Amazon and its indigenous peoples. A UN declaration already recognises the vital role of indigenous peoples in preserving forest environments – and their own rights to conserved territory. Last week, Bolsonaro vowed to abolish the human rights ministry and move indigenous rights foundation Funai into a new ministry focusing on women and family rights. The Amazon still contains an estimated 120 uncontacted indigenous peoples, whose lives are considered under threat.

Source: The Guardian December 18, 2018 06:00 UTC