Seven advisers from Minas Gerais environmental review and discussion forums have resigned from their mandates in the face of harsh criticism of the state government. They took all the places indicated for environmental associations.
Dalce Rikas, Amda superintendent and member of Copam, regrets what happened. “We are convinced that advisory councils with the participation of civil society are the pillars of true democracy. But the executive branch in Minas has turned Copam/Cerh into theaters and we can no longer legitimize that,” he said.
Rennsia
Unequal treatment
In addition to the above failures, the letter denounces the unequal treatment between civil society organizations protecting the environment and commercial structures. The first decree forbade the re-election of one’s advisers. And the new Cherkhsky Regiment is demanding that environmental associations’ advisers be chosen by the government itself from a triple list.
“We will be ready to return and engage in dialogue through the Soviets with the state authorities and the private sector, when the government actually implements the above principle, respecting the constitutional principles of isonomy, citizenship, morality, political pluralism and impersonality, and above all the ability to dialogue and understanding that that society is more diverse than the corporate sectors,” the letter concludes.
Association for the Protection of the Environment of Minas Gerais (Amda), Association for the Social and Environmental Management of Tringo Mineiro, Association Pr Pouso Alegre (Appa), Espeleogroup Pains (EPA), Relictos Foundation in support of the Rio Doce Park, Institute of Guaqui and Verde Movement signed from Paracatu (Traffic).
Minas Gerais (Semad) State Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development was questioned by the report Condition of the minesbut hasn’t answered yet.
* Intern under Associate Editor Thiago Prat
