All redactions are based on Article 4.1(b)
Ref. Ares(2019)6906322 - 07/11/2019
Ref. Ares(2020)1185577 - 25/02/2020
To:
GALLINA Sandra (TRADE); KONIG Helena (TRADE); BERZ Peter (TRADE)
Cc:
(TRADE);
(TRADE);
(TRADE);
(TRADE)
Subject:
Brazil: Report of the Meeting of the Indigenous Peoples - 6 Nov 2019
Meeting with the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) – 6 November 2019
Representatives of the Indigenous Peoples of Brazil met with DG TRADE and DG ENV to present their
position on the agreement with Mercosur and raise awareness about the situation of the indigenous
peoples at the moment.
DG TRADE gave an overview of the state of play of the negotiations, highlighting the benefits of the
agreement, including in terms of the trade and sustainable chapter, the dialogue with civil society and
also on the rights of indigenous people.
APIB representatives included three leaders of various regions of Brazil (Mato Grosso Sul, Para,
Cerrado). The visit was part of a campaign across Europe (12 different countries)
(“Journey indigenous
blood not a single drop more”) during which the leaders try to raise awareness about the challenging
situation of indigenous peoples in Brazil and problems stemming from the agricultural and other use of
indigenous lands (notably soya beans, timber and beef). The APIB leaders argued that the ratification of
the EU-Mercosur agreement would lead to further problems, deforestation and loss of indigenous
territories. The leaders called for the suspension of the process towards concluding agreement. They
were arguing that the current Brazilian government is violating the Constitution and international
agreements and cannot be expected to respect the EU-Mercosur agreement. They argued that the
agreement needed to be substantially reformulated, ensure sustainable trade and contain a strong
mechanism to protect the rights and lives of indigenous people. They also suggested that the EU should
adopt a law that should not allow the importation of goods that were produced at the cost of
indigenous people’s rights.
DG TRADE invited the APIB representatives to reconsider their definite negative position on the
agreement and reflect on whether the situation would be better with or without the agreement. In
particular, TRADE pointed to significant benefits of increased dialogue, channels of communication and
scope for cooperation on sustainability aspects which the agreement would bring and the important
space created for civil society in the implementation of the Agreement. In addition, it highlighted the
difficult international context in which the rule of law and multilateralism are threatened and where
international cooperation is necessary to ensure important policy objectives like the protection of
human rights, climate change and the environment. DG ENV informed about the Commission’s recent
Communication (23/07/2019) on deforestation and forest degradation ( "
Stepping up EU Action to
protect and restore the World's forests") in which the Commission recognized the contribution that EU
consumption makes to the deforestation and announced it would explore possible legislative measures
to address it. DG ENV invited APIB to take part in planned consultations on these measures, as these
consultations were open to EU and third countries’ stakeholders.
Participants:
DG TRADE:
DG ENV:
Best