"If I become President there will not be a centimeter more of indigenous land." Those were the words of Jair Bolsonaro during his campaign to become the Brazilian president, which he eventually did. And so far, he has followed through on this horrifying promise, waging war on Indigenous peoples and the lands that are both sacred to them and vital to the entire world's fight against climate change.
Almost 40% more deforestation of the Amazon rainforest since 2019. Massive budget cuts for environmental monitoring and efforts to fight devastating fires. Almost 600 environmental regulations quietly weakened. A 135% increase in the invasions of precious Ingidenous territories. Jair Bolsonario's assault on Ingidenous peoples have gone hand in hand with his violent, irreversible attacks on the environment.
That's why we must stand with Brazil's Indigenous leaders, and environmental protectors everywhere, and urge the International Criminal Court (ICC) to charge Bolsonaro with crimes against humanity for his horrific, violent ecocide! Sign the petition today!
Ecocide is defined as "causing serious and lasting harm to the environment and people." The term fits Bolsonaro's actions as president like a blood-covered glove.
While deforestation has steadily climbed to an all-time high, making it more and more likely that the Amazon rainforest will become a dry wasteland, punishments for illegal deforestation fell by over 40%. Bolsonaro has attacked environmental protections at every level -- if you take away some regulations, and stop enforcing the others, what are you left with? A rainforest that is soon to be a savannah, unable to aid in the offsetting of greenhouse gases in our earth's atmosphere.
Kayapo Chief Raoni Metuktire and Paiter Surui Chief Almir Narayamoga Surui are Indigenous leaders in Brazil who have witnessed firsthand the genocide of their people and the ecocide in Brazil, and have brought this case to the ICC. But as of the time of this writing, the case is under review, with Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda still deciding whether or not charges can be brought.
Bolsonaro empowers environmental crime, encourages violence against Indigenous peoples, and has consistently used his power to dismantle the systems that would protect the two. Enough is enough.
Sign the petition and implore Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to charge Jair Bolsonaro with crimes against humanity for ecocide!
