The disappearances of a British journalist and a Brazilian expert in the Amazon are “monstrous“but must encourage to”amplify” their investigations into environmental crimes and not deter them, said Thursday June 16 a colleague of the Briton.
Read alsoDisappearance in the Amazon: for Bolsonaro, journalist Dom Phillips was “frowned upon” in the region
Ten days after the disappearance of journalist Dom Phillips, contributor to the British newspaper The Guardian, and Brazilian Bruno Pereira, a suspect admitted to having buried their bodies and “human remainswere found at the search site. “It’s a horror story that will chill anyone who’s a journalist, anyone who cares about the Amazon, indigenous peoples, our planetary life support systems.The Guardian’s global environment editor, Jonathan Watts, who is based partly in Brazil, told AFP.
“Courageous, passionate and determined”
“I hope this inspires rather than deters editors and journalists, so that there is even more attention to the topics that mattered to Domconfided the editor-in-chief, adding that he hopes that the work begun by the journalist will be continued and amplified. “It would be the only way for me that something good would emerge from such a monstrous thing.“, he says. Dom Phillips, 57, was working on a book on sustainable development in the Amazon. Bruno Pereira, 41, served as his guide.
“These brave, passionate and determined men were murdered while doing vital work to shed light on the daily threats that indigenous peoples in Brazil face as they defend their land and rights.said Pat Venditti, executive director of Greenpeace UK, in a statement.
Read alsoWhat we know about the mysterious disappearance of a journalist and an expert in the Amazon
Pat Venditti has accused Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro of giving “a political and moral license to carry out predatory activities in and around indigenous lands“. “The greatest tribute we can pay to Bruno and Dom now is to continue their vital work until all the peoples of Brazil and their forests are fully protected.added the Greenpeace official.