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dam-l URGENT: Death Threats After Amazon Dam Seminar



November 20, 1998

Dear Friends,

We are urgently seeking your assistance to help safeguard the lives
of Brazilian activists fighting a dam on a tributary of the Amazon.
After organizing a workshop on the project, members of CIMI -
a group fighting the  Lajeado Dam on the Tocantins River -
have received numerous death threats, .

It is urgent that people take a stand  and request a full investigation
of the threats and police protection for the Cimi workers.  Please take a
moment
to write a letter and email/fax it to the address listed below.  More
information on the threats and a sample letter are included below.

Thanks for your efforts!

In solidarity,
Susanne Wong

*********************************
CIMI (The Indigenous Missionary Council) has put together the following
action alert.

Brasilia, November 19, 1998

Since November 11, anonymous callers to the office of Cimi in Palmas,
Tocantins state, have made death threats against the organization's
members, in particular the regional coordinator,  Ms. Laudovina Aparecida
Pereira and Ms. Elma Andrade Souza.

These threats followed the First Seminar on the Lajeado Hydroelectric
Project, which took place in Palmas on October 31. Hundreds of local
residents participated in a discussion of the socio-environmental impacts
of the project which is being built on the Tocantins River, an Amazon
tributary, less than 50 km. from the city. The meeting demonstrated that
the dam construction company has failed to provide information on many
crucial matters concerning the dam project.

Some of the threats also mentioned the Executive Secretary of Cimi,
Saulo Feitosa, and Sadi Baron, a member of the Coordination of the Movement
of Dam-Affected People (MAB), who took part in the event.

Given the seriousness of the situation, an official complaint has been
filed with the local police
As the climate continues tense, it is urgent that people and groups take a
stand requesting a full investigation of the threats and police protection
for the Cimi workers, who are being deprived of their constitutional right
to come and go as they please by the death threats.



A SAMPLE LETTER FOLLOWS:

" We have become aware of the constant death threats directed at members of
Cimi in Tocantins state, particularly against the coordinator, Ms.
Laudovina Aparecida Pereira and Ms. Elma Andrade Souza. Concerned regarding
the safety of these women, and other members of Cimi, we call for a
complete investigation of all the facts surrounding the case, the
punishment of the guilty parties, and guarantees for the safety of the
missionaries who are being threatened for carrying out their work.

By taking these actions, authorities in the state of Tocantins will be
demonstrating their concern and commitment to civil society, as well as
their concern for the credibility of their institutions and the defense of
human rights.

Faxes or emails may be sent to:

(Governor of Tocantins state)
Governador do Estado do Tocantins
Raimundo Nonato Pires dos Santos
Fax: (+55.63) 218-1091 - E-mail: gabgov@zaz.com.br

(Secretary of Public Security)
Secretário de Segurança Pública
General Atoz Costa Farias
Fax: (+55.63) 215-1546 - E-mail: sejusp@ulbra.to.br

(Federal attorney general in Tocantins)
Procurador da República
Mário Lúcio de Avelar
Fax: (+55.63) 215-1805 - E-mail: prto@netsgo.com.br

**Please send a copy of your letter to International Rivers Network
at swong@irn.org.**



==============================================
Susanne Wong
International Rivers Network
1847 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94703
Tel: 1.510.848.1155 ext 316        email: swong@irn.org
Fax: 1.510.848.1008                     web: www.irn.org