VIA CAMPESINA BRASIL
SDS, Qd 6, Bl A, edificio Carioca, sala 311 – Brasilia - DF
Secretary to the Committee on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
For Human Rights
Office 1 – 025, Palais Wilson / Palais des Nations
8 – 14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
20.03.09
Parallel report to the second state report of Brazil on the implementation of the International Pact on economic, social and cultural rights
Violations of Human Rights - the right to food – at the brazil farmers - by the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in Brazil
Dear Sirs and Ladies,
In May 2009 the brazil government has to report in front of your committee about the social human rights in Brazil.
The information given in this report focuses on the consequences of a highly perturbing global development, the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the area of agriculture, which in Brazil has now brought the effect that 25 % of the people are suffering from hunger and since introduction there is a dramatic increase of landlessness and damages of health. Also the contamination of natural resources like water and soil is increasing so that the small farmers can not use these anymore. This development seriously violates the economic, social and cultural rights of brazil farmers.
Brazil is a country which has made great strides in economic growth in the last years. However, the rural economy has undergone a serious decline. The introduction of GMOs - especially GM soya - has also brought a dramatic increase of many negative consequences, particularly for the poor and the people in agriculture.
We are very concerned about this pervasive crisis caused by further planned steps of the government to enlarge GMOs on a large scale and increase the profit.
We are requesting the committee on economic, social and cultural rights to present its concerns about the violations of economic, social and cultural rights caused by the use of GM soya in Brazil and to formulate recommendations to the Government of Brazil on how to end these violations.
We would be very delighted to come on 4. may 2009 to inform you personally about the parallel report. For further questions and information please don’t hesitate to contact us at the above mentioned contact information.
We thank you very much about your interest and your support!
Yours sincerely
Dr. Antonio Andrioli Marina dos Santos, Justina Cima e Gilberto Cervinski FIDENE/Unijuí Via Campesina Brazil