Breaking news: Mozambican activist deported from Brazil ahead of Rio +20
On Tuesday 12 June a Mozambican journalist was deported from Brazil and thus barred from attending the Rio +20 summit. Jeremiah Vunjanhe is a journalist by profession and works for the Mozambican organisation: Justiça Ambiental (JA!, Environmental Justice). He is also a member of Friends of the Earth Mozambique.
Jeremiah was involved in exposing the impact of the Brazilian mining giant ‘Vale’ in Mozambique. He was travelling to Rio as part of an international network that was set up linking communities and workers affected by Vale across the world and to share his experiences with people everywhere affected by extractive industries.
Vale is the world’s second largest mining corporation and operates in nearly 40 countries. It was recently nominated in the Public Eye Awards for worst corporation because of it’s 70-year history of abusing human rights, imposing inhumane working conditions and ruthlessly exploiting nature.
One of the company’s recent projects is particularly relevant to Brazil:
The recent purchase of a major stake in the consortium engaged in building the notorious Belo Monte Dam Complex in the Amazon. If the massive dam project continues, it will have disastrous social and environmental consequences, including the forced relocation of 40,000 people and devastation of a riverine ecosystem that is the basis of survival for indigenous communities, riverbank communities and fisherfolk - who have not had a voice in the matter, nor will they receive adequate compensation.” - From the Public Eye Award website
A protest against Vale by the International Articulation of People Affected by Vale.
Jeremiah had been issued a visa by the Brazilian Embassy in Mozambique following all the entry requirements and at no time was he informed that there were any issues or concerns that could impede his entry into Brazil.
Upon arrival at Guarulhos Airport in Sao Paulo, Jeremiah’s passport was taken from him without explanation and he was escorted to the departures lounge to return to Mozambique. His passport was returned to him hours after takeoff, stamped with the Federal Police Department’s ‘Blocked by SINPI’ stamp (The National System of Blocked and Wanted People).
The civil society groups and organisations organising the People’s Summit have issued a press release in outcry at the deportation and a statement of solidarity with the activist. The groups 'express (their) indignation at the refusal of admission into Brazil and the arbitrary act that will trigger a process of criminalisation of the civil society activist'.
The statement demands that a public explanation and apology for Jeremiah's deportation and having been denied entry to Brazil. It demands that his name be removed from the SINPI list or any institution associated with it. It calls for this to be done as soon as possible so that Jeremia Vunjanhe is able to go ahead his participation in Rio +20 activities.
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