Yanomami in Venezuela reiterate call for investigation of abuses by miners

On 25th September, the Venezuelan Yanomami through their national organisation, Horonami, reiterated their call for a calm, detailed and participatory investigation into possible violent acts and abuses by illegal Brazilian miners in the Upper Ocamo river in the headwaters of the Orinoco. Although allegations of a serious massacre of Yanomami have now been dropped, the Yanomami reject statements that 'all is well' in the region. Following a joint five-day visit to the Upper Ocamo with the support of the Venezuelan army and the Ministry of Public Affairs, they insist that considerable numbers of miners are operating illegally in the area supplied through clandestine airstrips. In the view of Horonami, the stories of a massacre which filtered down to the Parima mission stations in late July, while not confirmed, are evidence that there are still conflicts between the miners and the local communities in the area. Recognising that serious efforts have been made periodically by both the Brazilian and Venezuelan armed forces to clear the Yanomami's territory of miners, they nevertheless call for a more systematic system of patrols with Yanomami participation to control illegal access to their territory and so prevent harm to the communities, health problems and the destruction of their forests.

Read Horonami's latest statement in English or in Spanish.