Brazil Network of Agro Journalists
June 16, 2022
The Rede Agrojor (Brazil Network of Agro Journalists) expresses condolences to the families of Brazilian indigenist Bruno Araújo Pereira and English journalist Dom Phillips, murdered in the exercise of their professions in the Vale do Javari region, in the extreme west of the Amazon state. We also offer solidarity to colleagues at the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists, through the IFAJ (International Federation of Agricultural Journalists).
Disappeared on June 5th, Dom and Bruno’s bodies were located this Wednesday (15th). Dom, 57 years old, was a correspondent journalist for publications such as The Guardian, New York Times, Washington Post, Financial Times, Bloomberg, and Intercept, among others. Bruno, 41 years old, considered one of the greatest indigenists currently, had been a servant of Funai (National Indian Foundation) for over a decade, exonerated from office in 2019.
The Rede Agrojor reinforces that press freedom is pivotal for full citizenship and strengthening democracy. In 2021, Fenaj (National Federation of Journalists) recorded 430 episodes of violence against the category in the country, two episodes more than in 2020. The murder of Dom and Bruno is part of a violent spiral.
In this way, the Rede Agror joins other voices of organized civil society in Brazil and around the world to demand a rigorous investigation to punish all those responsible and reaffirm the democratic rule of law. Those parameters are a fundamental guarantee and their lack affects everyone.