Paxiúba

Paxiúba, 2023 PDF

Brazil stands out as one of the most dangerous countries for environmental defenders, accounting for a staggering 20% of global land activist murders in the last decade (Global Witness, 2022). One in every five murders of land advocates worldwide occurred in Brazil, primarily in the Amazon region, where activists face pervasive violence while mobilizing against deforestation and human rights abuses. The Brazilian government established the Protection Program for Human Rights Defenders (PPDDH) in 2004. Regrettably, the initiative has consistently struggled to provide proper safety measures for activists, including discreet relocation for the most threatened cases. The emotional toll on these activists and their families is profound. Despite their valiant efforts to fight for their communities, they often find themselves abandoned to their fate, navigating discreet relocation through a defunded program.

Commissioned and published by Sumauma.