Illegal gold mining: A disaster for the Yanomami people of Brazil's Amazon rainforest
Thousands of illegal gold miners are accused of destroying the lives of the indigenous Yanomami people, who have lived for centuries in the Amazon rainforest on the border between Venezuela and Brazil. Miners have flooded into the area, poisoning rivers, attacking people and even raping women and girls. Under Brazil's new government, the issue is now coming under the spotlight, as federal police have opened an investigation into possible genocide. In Perspective, we spoke to Fiona Watson, Director of Research and Advocacy at Survival International.
Read more on FRANCE 24 English
Read also:
Brazil opens investigation into 'genocide' of Yanomami Indigenous peoples
Brazil’s Yanomami people victims of illegal gold rush in Amazon rainforest
Indigenous Brazil: Claudia Andujar and the Yanomami struggle