UN rights expert calls Brazil to protect indigenous rights in controversial new law

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 12th July. UN human rights expert José Francisco Calí Tzay on Thursday called on the Brazilian Supreme Court and Senate to protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples to lands, territories and natural resources.

José Francisco Calí Tzay urged an immediate action to suspend the new law that can dispossess or evict indigenous communities.

Mr. Calí Tzay praised the Brazilian Supreme Court for rejecting the ‘Marco Temporal’ doctrine that requires Indigenous Peoples to prove they were occupying their lands on October 5, 1988.

He said he was very concerned over the hasty passage of the new law by Congress that effectively brings back the doctrine.

José Francisco Calí Tzay argued that the law goes against international human rights standards that protect indigenous rights without time limits.

He stressed the importance of indigenous lands for biodiversity and climate balance and warned that mining, gold exploitation and cattle breeding can cause significant environmental damage.

He called on the Supreme Court to suspend the law until it’s declared constitutional.