Environmental defense entities request the Brazilian Supreme Court to halt funding for road construction that leads to illegal deforestation and invasion of indigenous territories.
Environmental protection organizations, including Transparency International, Transparency Brazil, and Contas Abertas, have formally requested the Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) to take action against the financing of road construction projects that contribute to illegal deforestation and infringe upon indigenous land rights. This appeal is based on findings from a news series titled 'Power and Devastation' published by Folha, which highlighted the damaging environmental impact of parliamentary amendments linked to these projects.
This marks the second time these NGOs have approached the STF with such requests. Previously, in the past October, they filed a petition related to the main STF case on parliamentary amendments, which is overseen by Minister Flávio Dino. In response to the earlier petition, Dino ordered a federal police investigation into machines acquired with parliamentary funds that facilitated road construction in Acre, associated with illegal deforestation and land invasions. This response from the STF underscores the judiciary's recognition of the pressing environmental issues raised by civil society.
In their latest submission, the NGOs have presented new evidence uncovered in the ongoing investigative series, urging the Supreme Court to implement broader protective measures for the environment. The ongoing actions by these groups reflect a growing concern about the erosion of environmental protections in Brazil and highlight the critical role that judicial intervention may play in safeguarding both ecosystems and indigenous rights against exploitative practices.
