Oxfam concerned after Brazilian government opens up Amazon natural reserve to mining

The Brazilian government announced that it would abolish a national reserve in the Amazon, roughly the size of Denmark, and open a portion of it to mining.

In response, Rashmi Mistry, head of Oxfam’s GROW campaign, said: “This is very troubling news, but sadly it’s part of a dangerous trend. All over the world we’re seeing a new rush for land, often with deadly consequences for local rights defenders.

“We need land rights now. Without them, indigenous communities everywhere are at risk of being pushed off their lands to make way for industrial-scale farming and mining projects. We urge the Brazilian authorities to respect the rights of the communities in the Amazon.”