Brazil: Attack against human rights defender Welinton da Silva

Your Excellency,

I am deeply concerned following reports of an attack against human rights defender Welinton da Silva on 11 March 2008 in Maranhão. Welinton da Silva works with the Movimento Sem Terra (MST) (Movement of Landless Peasants) which is a part of the Vía Campesina network that is currently supporting the rights of the communities being affected by the construction of a dam in Estreito, Maranhão.

On 11 March 2008, at 11.30pm, Welinton da Silva was attacked while participating in an on-site demonstration in a quarry in Estreito, Maranhão, to protest against the building of a dam. He was sleeping in the camp of Movimento dos Antingidos por Barragens [MAB] (Movement of Dam-affected People), in the workers' area of the quarry, when he was shot in the leg by an individual who reportedly fired gunshots from a passing car. Welinton da Silva was taken to the Municipal Hospital in Estreito where he received treatment for his injuries.

Members of CESTE (Consorcio Estreito Energía), a company involved in the development of a hydroelectric project that requires the flooding of 400 square kilometres, affecting the lands and homes of 21, 000 people, including the African-Brazilian communities of Bico do Papagayo, had reportedly been to the camp three times on 11 March 2008 to threaten those protesting. The demonstration at the quarry formed part of protests to mark the International Day of Action against Dams and for Rivers, Water and Life, on 14 March. Participants were calling for further studies to be undertaken to investigate the impact the project is to have on the River Tocantins, as well as for compensation to be given to the communities that are to be displaced as a result of the construction of the dam.

I believe that Welinton da Silva has been targeted as a result of his human rights activities, in particular his work to defend the land rights of communities in Brazil, and remains concerned for his physical and psychological integrity. On 21 October 2007, Valmir Mota de Oliveira, another MST leader who was also known as "Keno", was shot in the chest and killed during a protest led by MST.

During the protest a further two MST leaders were also reportedly pursued by gunmen but managed to escape. It was believed by MST that the intention had been to kill all three leaders, who had also been receiving death threats since the beginning of 2007.

I urge the authorities in Brazil to:

1. Carry out an independent, thorough and impartial investigation into the reported attack against Welinton da Silva, with a view to identifying those parties responsible, publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice;

2. Guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Welinton da Silva and all of those working for the Movimento Sem Terra;

3. Take measures to ensure that all human rights defenders in Brazil, carrying out their legitimate human rights work, are able to operate free of all restrictions and harassment.

Yours sincerely