Accelerating Indigenous Dispossession in Brazil

The world is increasingly interconnected, yet our policy horizons are shaped by a media focus which is predominantly both incestuous and parochial.

Brazil is the fifth largest country in terms of population, sitting behind Chine, India, USA, and Indonesia (link here). Australia ranks 55.  In economic terms, it ranks eighth, behind the USA, China, Japan, Germany, UK, India and France (link here).

Brazil’s new President, Jair Bolsonaro was sworn in on 1 January 2019 (link here), and was immediately praised by US President Trump (link here).

There is increasing evidence however that the new Government in Brazil is adopting a much more aggressive stance in favour of agricultural and other interests and against Indigenous landowners (link here). A recent article in The Intercept provides a good summary of recent developments. I recommend readers have a look (link here).

Over 80 Australian companies have a presence in Brazil including a quarter listed on the ASX 200. Given these strong trading and commercial links between Australia and Brazil (link here), and Australia’s support for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (link here), there is a strong case for the Australian Government to communicate its concern in relation to these developments to both the Brazilian Government as well as to the UN and its various forums for dealing with Indigenous rights. Key Australian corporations with interests both in Australian Indigenous communities and in Brazil and Latin America (such as BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto) should also consider making their views known to the Brazilian Government.