Monday, October 31, 2011

Protests at Belo Monte Dam site (Brazil)

Hundreds Occupy Belo Monte Dam Site in Brazilian Amazon

The protest arrives one day after the second judge from the Regional Federal Tribunal voted against judge Selene Maria de Almeida's landmark decision against the Belo Monte dam.

Judge Selene Maria de Almeida's decision (which is not to be confused with last month's decision by judge Carlos Castro Martins to suspend the construction of the dam) found that the government illegally issued the project's environmental licenses because it failed to properly consult affected Indigenous peoples beforehand. That failure, according to judge Selene Maria de Almeida, is a direct violation of Article 231 of Brazil's Constitution.

"The trial is now tied at one vote in favor, and one vote against," says International Rivers.