ICC Asked to Investigate Crimes in Brazil [1]
On August 9, 2021, an indigenous peoples' group called the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples from Brazil (APIB) requested that the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigate the alleged genocide and crimes against humanity perpetrated by Jair Bolsonaro, President of Brazil. As report by JURIST [3], APIB's complaint is focused on social and environmental policies that are, in its view "systematic and anti-indigenous," such as the "dismantling of public structures for social and environmental protection" which, according to APIB, has led to an "escalation of invasions in Indigenous Lands, deforestation and fires in Brazilian biomes, and also increased illegal mining in the territories." The complaint also alleges that President Bolsonaro has encouraged attacks against Indigenous Peoples by, inter alia, supporting activities that encourage the "legaliz[ation of] invasive activities." The ICC Prosecutor must now determine whether or not to pursue the case.