【247 Every moment】British journalist and Brazilian indigenous expert go missing in Amazon jungle

Jun 9, 2022

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Brazil's indigenous rights organization UNIVAJA informed the world on June 6 that British "Guardian" special correspondent Dom Phillips and Brazilian indigenous expert Bruno Araújo Pereira disappeared in Brazil's Amazon jungle . They had previously traveled together to an aboriginal tribe deep in the jungle.

The two sit on a boat before they set off, © Guardian

UNIVAJA's briefing stated that the two arrived in the Javari region, near the Peruvian border, on June 3 and were supposed to return to their starting point in Atalaia do Norte on June 5. The group also lost contact with them after they did not return within the scheduled time. The group then dispatched a search and rescue team, but the whereabouts of the two were not found.

A spokesperson for The Guardian said, "The Guardian is very concerned about this and is in contact with the British Embassy and the Brazilian authorities for further information." Human Rights Watch said they were very concerned about the situation and urged the authorities to do everything possible Resources to search to ensure their safety. Former World Cup winner Pelé, Brazilian Indigenous leader Sonia Guajajara, who was voted one of Time magazine's 2022 Most Influential People, are all calling for the use of all forces to find two. people.

On June 8, Brazilian police informed that they had arrested a man who may be related to the incident on the grounds of possession of drugs and possession of prohibited firearms, but "this is still just a suspicion. We are still investigating." A witness said the man had threatened two people and 13 other Aboriginal people on the morning of June 4.

Don Philippe is a staff correspondent for The Guardian and has been known for reporting on the environment and plight of indigenous communities in Brazil since 2018. Bruno Pereira worked for the Brazilian government's indigenous agency before working with the Observatory for Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples (OPI) to help indigenous communities drive out illegal poachers and drug dealers who invaded the region.

The Jawali area the pair tried to enter is home to more than two dozen indigenous tribes, and illegal loggers and illegal miners have been trying to invade the area to exploit its natural resources. A prominent Aboriginal leader in the Jawari region said that "organized and violent gangs are looting the region's resources with impunity". In 2019, a staff member working for a local Aboriginal organization was shot and killed in the area.

The actions of Brazil's far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, have further escalated tensions in the region in recent years. Since he came to power, he has expelled nearly all members of the government who opposed the development of the Amazon rainforest, while slashing budgets and staffing for environmental protection and indigenous communities. The government has also been trying to legislate to allow mineral and agricultural development on Aboriginal lands. Bolsonaro's remarks on the disappearance also sparked outrage in public opinion. On June 6, he said on social media that such a "trip" was an "adventure not recommended".