Two days ago, a British journalist as well as a Brazilian expert on indigenous populations disappeared in remote Amazon regions. This was just two days after an “unsavory expedition” described by President Jair Bolsonaro.
Dom Phillips (57), a freelance journalist and regular contributor to “The Guardian”, was conducting research in Javari Valley. Bruno Araujo Pereira (41), a well-known expert on indigenous peoples, was also not seen since Sunday morning.
They had received threats on the ground the previous week to their disappearance,” revealed the Union of Indigenous Organizations of the Javari Valley and the Observatory for the Human Rights of Isolated Indigenous Peoples in a press release (UNivaja).
Amazonas Civil Police is also involved in the investigation. They said Tuesday night that they were questioning “a suspect.” Four more people were also questioned as witnesses. On Tuesday, both the navy and federal police resumed their search. The navy used helicopters to assist in the hunt. Brasilia’s government stated that it was “very worried” and assured that police would do everything possible to locate them “as soon as possible”.
The Defense Ministry stated Monday that 150 soldiers had been deployed to “specialists” in jungle operations. They are familiar with the terrain and where the search is being conducted. The Javari Valley, located in the western Amazon near Peru, is difficult to reach and home to many tribes that are often completely isolated. The presence of poachers, miners, and gold miners in this region has led to an increase in armed violence.
Two people on a boat in an area as wild and remote is not something to recommend. In an interview with Sbt News, the Brazilian president stated that anything can happen. Jair Bolsonaro said that it could have been accidental, and they might have been executed. He “prays God for their rescue as soon as possible”. He said that the armed forces were working hard in the area.
Univaja and OPI report that the men traveled from Atalaia Do Norte in the state Amazonas to interview people around the Funai base – the government agency responsible for indigenous peoples. They reached Lake Jaburu Friday evening, according to OPI and Univaja. They returned to Atalaia Do Norte on Sunday morning.
Bruno Pereira, the local chief, had requested a meeting to discuss the issue indigenous patrols to counter the Bolsonaro government’s increasing “invasions” of land. They stopped at Sao Rafael. They decided to travel by boat to Atalaia do Norte two hours away, despite the local chief not being there. They were last seen downstream of Sao Rafael.
According to AFP, the Federal Police confirmed that Phillips and Pereira had been last seen on Monday. They were later released. “Every minute counts (…) We call on Brazil authorities to do all they can”, a video posted by Sian Phillips’ sister, urged the Brazilian authorities. She added, “We knew it was dangerous but Dom believed it was possible preserve nature and the lives indigenous people.”
Alessandra Sampaio (the journalist’s Brazilian wife), lives with him in Salvador (northeast). She asked TV Bahia in a broadcast video “for an intensification in the search.” Pereira’s family stated that “time is critical (…) especially when they are hurt.”
Phillips’ friends and reporters, including those who contributed to the “Washington Post”, the “New York Times”, and “The Intercept”, stated in a letter published on “O Globo”, that they refuse “to consider the worst” and called for an acceleration in the search.
“I hope they’ll be found and return to peace,” Lula da Silva, ex-president, wrote on social media. He posted a photo of Lula during an interview in 2017.
One of Brazil’s largest indigenous territories is the Javari Valley. According to the NGO Instituto Socioambiental, it is home to approximately 6,300 people representing 26 different ethnic groups. 19 of these are isolated.
Bruno Araujo Pereira is a long-time worker at Funai. He has been threatened with death by illegal loggers as well as miners who are envious of indigenous lands.
