IACHR welcomes installation of the Working Group for the precautionary measures of Bruno Araújo, Dom Phillips and UNIVAJA regarding Brazil

December 11, 2023

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On December 9, 2023, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) approved Follow-up Resolution No. 76/23 on precautionary measures PM 449-22 in favor of Bruno Araújo Pereira, Dom Phillips and eleven identified members of the União dos Povos Indígenas do Vale do Javari (UNIVAJA) regarding Brazil.

The Joint Working Group is carried out in the framework of the monitoring process of the implementation of Precautionary Measures 449-22, and of the Follow-up and Extension Resolution 59/22, of October 27, 2022, and its objective is to contribute to their full compliance, ensuring a space for coordination and complementarity between the national level and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

The Action Plan was elaborated jointly with the beneficiaries' representation and with the support of the IACHR and includes, inter alia:

• follow-up of the investigations and judicial processes of those responsible for the crimes related to the precautionary measures, the threats against the beneficiaries and the murder of Bruno Araújo and Dom Phillips;
• the establishment of a framework of memory for the human rights defenders of the Vale do Javari; the strengthening of the Program for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders;
• the encouragement of the recognition and appreciation of journalistic work in the Amazon;
• the State retraction through an official apology from the highest levels of the State for the defamation and promotion of hatred against Dom Phillips and Bruno Araújo in the context of their disappearance and death in 2022;
• the recognition of the fundamental role of the indigenous peoples in the search and location of the bodies, and of local journalism and popular and community communication in the investigation and dissemination of truthful information about the case.

The Group's Action Plan will have a duration of two years and foresees a governance mechanism that includes thematic clusters, a National Coordination and Articulation Group, and the IACHR.

Commissioner Arosemena de Troitiño, First Vice-President of the IACHR and Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples, "reiterated the IACHR commitment to collaborate between the parties through technical assistance and reinforced monitoring of the precautionary measures and highlighted the coordination and willingness of the parties to implement this Action Plan." For her part, Commissioner Julissa Mantilla, Rapporteur for Brazil, "highlighted the importance of this initiative to protect the beneficiaries of the precautionary measures, as well as the positive effects that the Working Group can have for the protection of Indigenous Peoples, human rights defenders and journalists and social communicators in the Vale do Javari, as well as in the search for truth, justice and measures to avoid the repetition of the facts.

The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Pedro Vaca, affirmed that "if what happens in the Amazon and its peoples is a matter of priority in the world, censorship and violence also have repercussions against humanity." He stressed the urgency of guaranteeing journalism and the voice of the peoples of the region. "Fear, self-censorship and silence cannot reign over the Amazon and I hope that the Working Group will contribute to this purpose."

The IACHR will continue to follow up on the precautionary measures and the situation of indigenous peoples and communicators in the Vale do Javari in accordance with its competence derived from the American Convention and other human rights instruments applicable and binding on Brazil.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 286/23

12:30 PM