Alessandra Korap Munduruku
Wins 2020 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award
for Her Work Protecting Indigenous Peoples in Brazil
The virtual ceremony on Thursday, October 22, will include a
keynote address from former U.S. Secretary of State John
Kerry on the countless threats and challenges Indigenous
peoples face around the world.
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights has named
Alessandra Korap Munduruku the winner of its 2020 Human
Rights Award for her work defending the culture,
livelihoods, and rights of Indigenous peoples in Brazil.
Indigenous peoples, including Alessandra’s
Munduruku community, have faced tremendous challenges in
Brazil in recent years—from gold miners and loggers
illegally invading and exploiting Indigenous territories; to widespread
fires in the Amazon; and an increased risk to the
coronavirus; not to mention a combative president who’s proactively
removed protections for Indigenous tribes and insulted
them on numerous occasions.
As one of the key leaders and organizers of
the Munduruku people, Alessandra has fought to stop
construction projects and illegal mining that are infringing
upon Munduruku territory, garnering international attention
and support. She’s advocated for the demarcation of
Indigenous lands and for Indigenous communities to be
consulted on decisions that affect their territories.
Alessandra has also played an important role in advancing
the leadership of women in the Munduruku community and among
other Indigenous tribes in Brazil through her involvement in
the Wakoborûn Indigenous Women’s Association and the Pariri
Indigenous Association.
“I’m humbled to be this year’s Robert F.
Kennedy Human Rights Award winner,” said Alessandra
Korap Munduruku. “To have the additional backing
and support of Kerry Kennedy and her entire organization,
especially during the pandemic, will make all the difference
as we continue to fight for our rights, including the
demarcation of our lands to ensure that Indigenous peoples
have their autonomy, and for the fight of women who are also
the strength of the resistance.”
“Throughout history, Indigenous peoples,
including the Munduruku, have repeatedly been oppressed,
silenced, and subjected to horrific human rights abuses,”
said Kerry Kennedy, president of Robert F. Kennedy
Human Rights. “Alessandra has heroically faced
intimidation and violence for defending Indigenous rights
across Brazil—including the ability to oppose projects and
developments that affect her peoples and their livelihoods.
She is a champion of women’s rights, Indigenous rights, and
the foundational right of all human rights—civic space.
Civic space protects the right to dissent, to advocate and
to defend human rights, free of government reprisal. It is
the keystone of a functioning democracy.”
Alessandra will be honored at a virtual
ceremony on Thursday, October 22, at 6:00pm EDT.
The event is free and open to the public. You can
register here.
Kerry Kennedy will present the award,
followed by a keynote address from former U.S.
Secretary of State John Kerry on the countless
threats and challenges Indigenous peoples face around the
world. Andrew Revkin, director of Columbia
University’s Earth Institute, will then moderate a
discussion on the pathways forward for Indigenous peoples in
Brazil with an esteemed panel of experts:
-
Juarez Saw Munduruku,
Chief of the Sawré Muybu village in Brazil
-
Maria Leusa Cosme Kaba, a Munduruku
women’s leader
-
Francisco Calí Tzay, UN Special
Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
-
Sebastião Salgado, Award-winning
French-Brazilian documentary photographer
-
Antonia Urrejola Noguera, Rapporteur on
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Commissioner of the
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
-
Christian Poirier, Program Director at
Amazon Watch
Since 1984, the annual Robert F. Kennedy
Human Rights Award has honored activists for their
relentless pursuit of justice around the world, providing
funding and strategic support to advance their work. The
award comes with a $30,000 prize and provides ongoing
support from Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights—through
strategic litigation, training and capacity-building, and
advocacy before governments, international organizations,
and other institutions—to ensure lasting change.
Previous winners of the Human Rights Award
include
the Angry Tias and Abuelas of the Rio Grande Valley (2019)
for its pursuit of dignity and justice for those seeking
asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border;
Alfredo Romero (2017) for his work with Foro Penal
providing pro bono legal assistance to victims of arbitrary
detention, torture, and other human rights violations in
Venezuela;
Frank Mugisha (2011) for championing the human rights of
sexual minorities in Uganda, eventually overturning the
country’s law which criminalized homosexuality;
Magodonga Mahlangu and Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) (2009)
for empowering women to strive for political and social
change in Zimbabwe; and the Coalition of Immokalee
Workers (2003) for its efforts to end the exploitation
of migrant workers in the U.S. agricultural industry, a form
of modern-day slavery that persists to this day.
The 37th annual Robert F. Kennedy Human
Rights Award is made possible in part by generous support
from Donato Tramuto.
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
We are a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that
has worked to realize Robert F. Kennedy’s dream of a more
just and peaceful world since 1968. In partnership with
local activists, we advocate for key human rights
issues—championing changemakers and pursuing strategic
litigation at home and around the world. And to ensure
change that lasts, we foster a social-good approach to
business and investment and educate millions of students
about human rights and social justice.
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