Seja Legal com a Amazônia - Medidas Legais de Enfrentamento

Brazilian agribusiness joins environmentalists

to support measures against land grabbing in the Amazon

More than 60% of Amazonian forests in Brazil are on public land. But they are not protected for those who want to destroy it.

Today, they are the target of bars and criminal organizations that invade, cut down like trees, try to falsify possession documents, and then make millions by selling our land. With the theft of our lands they became responsible for much of Amazon deforestation.

They create an environment of violence and corruption in the region, that destroys natural riches and intimidates entrepreneurs and farmers, driving away investment.

But in the last few years, Brazilians have already shown that will not accept that the crime in their country goes unpunished. And now, they need your help to ask Brazilian government for concrete and imeditable measures to fight against the criminals that are stealing and destroying Amazon lands.

By filling out the form below, you can send an email directly to the brazilian Minister of Justice, Sérgio Moro, and to the Attorney General of the Federal Public Prosecution Service demanding greater investments in operations against organized crime in the Amazon. Show that you can also support or fight crime in the Amazon!

Require new crime-fighting measures in the Amazon

Who are you going to press (4 targets)

André Luiz Mendonça assessoria.ministro@mj.gov.br

André Luiz Mendonça chefiadegabinete@mj.gov.br

Augusto Aras
augustoaras@mpf.mp.br

Eitel Santiago de Brito Pereira
pgr-gabsg@mpf.mp.br

Name:

Email:

Subject matter:

Email body:
Prezados Ministro da Justiça, Procurador Geral da República e Secretário-Geral do Ministério Público da União, Mais de 60% das florestas da Amazônia estão em terras públicas. Hoje elas são alvo de grileiros e organizações criminosas que invadem, desmatam, falsificam documentos de posse e depois ganham milhões com a venda das nossas terras. São responsáveis por boa parte do desmatamento da Amazônia. Criam um ambiente de violência e corrupção na região, que não só destrói as riquezas naturais como intimida os empresários e produtores rurais, afastando investimentos. Nós brasileiros não queremos que o crime fique impune. Por isso, solicitamos que medidas mais efetivas sejam adotadas no combate à grilagem, com o fortalecimento da Força-Tarefa Amazônia e dos MPFs da região, a criação de novas força-tarefas e atuação mais intensa da Polícia Federal no combate a este crime que tem causado prejuízos sociais, ambientais e econômicos para todos os brasileiros. Não podemos mais deixar o crime prevalecer. Não podemos permitir que o território nacional seja roubado e vendido. Contamos com vocês para que a lei seja aplicada e para que os mecanismos de combate à criminalidade e ao desmatamento ilegal sejam fortalecidos na Amazônia. Para responder publicamente a esta campanha entrar em contato com fernanda@coalizaobrasil.org

TELEPHONE LISTENING

FOR THE FEDERAL POLICE AND THE FEDERAL PUBLIC MINISTRY IN INVESTIGATION ON LAND GRILLAGE IN THE AMAZON

Reproduzir vídeo

FACT SHEET

Document released at the Conference of the Parties (COP) 25 in Madrid brings the main information about land grabbing in the Amazon, its causes and consequences, together with our proposals to combat this crime.

WHY SHOULD WE DEFEND AMAZON OF LAND GRABBERS?

Reproduzir vídeo

Land grabbing is one of the main causes of deforestation in the Amazon

Criminal groups invade public lands, steal wood, burn and simulate cattle raising to try to forge possession documents. In 2018, about 40% of deforestation occurred in public forests (protected areas, indigenous lands, non-destined public forests).

Brings violence and crime to the region

Organized crime that works by deforesting the Amazon acts violently, corruptly and often with the support of some politicians or state agents co-opted through bribery. There are disputes between land grabbers, farmers and historic occupants, which in many cases causes an armed dispute over the territory.

Does not generate development or economic benefits

The money that comes from land grabbing and illegal deforestation is concentrated in the hands of a few, as a result of criminal activity. More than 20% of the Amazon has already been destroyed and this has not generated wealth for most of the region’s people. In 2017 the ten cities with largest rates of deforestation in the Amazon region were also among the poorest in Brazil.

It removes legal investments and harms the producers

Agribusiness is being hampered by illegal gangs that tarnish the industry’s reputation, increasing legal uncertainty and generating unfair competition for producers and companies. The presence of criminals in the Amazon drives away businessmen, investors and producers comply with the law.

Reproduzir vídeo

HOW ARE CRIMINAL GROUPS STEALING OUR LAND?

The area that will be targeted for criminal action is chosen: An area normally located on non-designated public land is selected for criminal action. Conservation units and indigenous lands (which are designated public lands) may also be targets of these groups.

Deforestation and Burning: Groups are hired to clear the chosen land by replacing the forest with pasture. Burning is common at this stage. The idea is to simulate a private property dedicated to livestock. The cost of this process can reach 240 thousands of dollars for an area of one thousand hectares.

Corruption and forged property titles: When the invaded area has been completely devastated, the gang seeks to forge titles to speculate the land. This action is only possible through the payment of bribes and corruption in notary’s offices and other government agencies.

Increased Violence and Crime: It is common for different interest groups to dispute these lands raising the rates of crime and violence in nearby cities and settlements. In case of invasion of indigenous lands the conflict is imminent.

Sale of Public Land and Millionaire Gains: With fake title deeds, huge areas that actually belong to Brazilians are exploited and sold for millions of dollars in a large corruption scheme that benefits a small group to the detriment of every nation’s interests.

Amnesty: It is common that from time to time the National Congress and the states of the Amazon region edit or modify their legislation to legalize those who invaded public lands. This type of practice creates new incentives for land grabbing, and generates billions of losses to public coffers.

Result: Environmental conservation areas, indigenous lands, or undeveloped lands that house the Amazon Rainforest are stolen and sold by organized crime, contributing to the destruction of our natural heritage.

WHAT WE NEED AGAINST THIS CRIME

1. Support the Amazon Task Force, created on August 22, 2018 by the Federal Prosecutor;

2. Stop deforestation in public areas;

3. Create a task force to promote the destination for conservation and sustainable uses of non-destined public forests; The Amazon has 287.6 million hectares of public forests, of which 24% is not destined.

4. Create a task force of Federal Justice, supported by the Executive, Legislative and Public Prosecutor, with the objective of promoting the resolution of land conflicts in public lands;

5. Maintain the current conservation units of the country.