Brazil: Peasant families threatened due to the construction of the Irapé dam

1.128 families from 47 peasant and rural worker communities will be evicted from their land because of the construction of the Irapé hydroelectric dam in Alto Jequitinhonha, state of Minas Gerais. The floodgates will be closed in November 2004 and the waters behind the dam will start rising. On July 5, 2002, an agreement was signed by affected communities and the state company CEMIG on the resettlement of all families, including infrastructure and support for production. The company, however, has not respected the agreement: 25 communities will be displaced. 16 of them still do not even know where they will be resettled. 2 communities who have received land – even though insufficient – now find themselves abandoned. The government of Minas Gerais has breached its obligation to respect the affected communities’ right to feed themselves.  

With regard to this serious threat it is very important to approach the Brazilian authorities to take immediate measures to respect and protect the rights of these peasant families. Please, send letters to the Governor of the State, Mr. Aécio Neves da Cunha and to the Federal Ministry of Public Affairs. Please, also send copies to the Commission of Communities Affected by the Irapé Dam.