Rio Fishermen in Deadly Feud over Oil Complex

All too desperately aware of the threat of death hanging over them, some of Rio de Janeiro's fishermen are gearing up for another possible blockade to protest the damage they say oil company Petrobras has caused their livelihood. Two of their colleagues were murdered in June -- making it four murders in the last three years -- believed to be retaliation for the group's activism.

Published

11 months ago

Categories

World, Americas, South America, Science, Climate & Environment

Topics

Americas

Places

Brazil, Rio De Janeiro

Companies

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras

Transcript

SCRIPT: Empty fishing nets and deserted boats… A common sight in Guanabara Bay -- on the outskirts of Rio -- since the end of June, when two fishermen were found dead here. Both were naked, with their hands and feet bound. One had even been tied to his boat. SOUNDBITE 1 Alexandre Anderson de Souza (man), President, Men and Women of the Sea Association (AHOMAR) (Portuguese, 16 seconds): "Before we were attacked, we sought shelter in our home, which is the sea. We are men of the sea. This sea protects us. Today we're scared of our own home. Today, we fishermen hide." Alexandre is the President of Men and Women of the Sea Association, a group the two murdered fishermen were a part of. Two of its other members were also killed earlier, one in 2009 and the other in 2010. The organization -- launched to defend small scale fishing -- has been a vocal opponent againt Rio's Petrochemical Complex, a major new refinery owned by Petrobras, the state energy giant. The fishermen accuse groups tied to Petrobras contractors of orchastrating the murders. Alexandre, who's been threatened various times, now lives under permanent police protection. SOUNDBITE 2 Alexandre Anderson de Souza (man), President, Men and Women of the Sea Association (AHOMAR) (Portuguese, 12 seconds): "We're certain that these deaths -- these threats -- are directly related to our activism, to our denouncing what Petrobras is doing in Guanabara Bay. We know that this struggle is paid for with death -- and I might be next." The complex is scheduled to open in 2014 and will include new gas pipelines and ship channels. It's expected to create 200,000 jobs. Petrobras has declined to appear on camera but company officials denied any knowledge about the two deaths. They also rejected making any threats towards the fishermen. But some members of Parliament and human rights activists are demanding an investigation. SOUNDBITE 3 Marcelo Freixo (man), State Deputy, Party for Socialism and Liberty (PSOL) and president of the Commission for Human Rights of Rio de Janeiro's Legislative Assembly (Portuguese, 9 seconds): "I hope the next time we all meet here will not be because of Alexandre's death, because that's what's going to happen. That is what's going to happen." In 2009, fishermen protested the consequences of a huge oil spill by using their nets to block ships from passing through the bay. Today, activists say they're ready to do whatever it takes -- even if it means taking those same drastic measures once again. ------------------------------ SHOTLIST: RIO DE JANEIRO, JULY 3, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - VAR of empty boats and fishing nets on the bay - SOUNDBITE 1 Alexandre Anderson de Souza - VAR of Alexandre showing a wall covered with photos of fishermen and boats, with the Ahomar logo next to it - CU of the photos, one of a hand pointing at bullet holes - VAR of Petrobras site - VAR of Alexandre with the police escort - SOUNDBITE 2 Alexandre Anderson de Souza - VAR of the bay - VAR of the email exchange between AFP and Petrobras - SOUNDBITE 3 Marcelo Freixo - a fisherman on his boat - aerial view of the bay - Alexandre Anderson de Souza closing the doors