Amnesty International has recognized the recent commitment by Itaipu Binacional to finance the restitution of indigenous land in Brazil as a positive development. The decision, which involves the purchase of 3,000 hectares of land for the Avá Guaraní Paranaense people, comes as part of a settlement agreement endorsed by Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court. This agreement was reached after a lawsuit filed by the Brazilian attorney general’s office against Itaipu and other entities, addressing the dispossession of indigenous lands for the Itaipú hydroelectric dam project. You can read more about this agreement on the Amnesty International’s site.
The Avá Guaraní communities have welcomed this step, as it represents a form of relief after decades of struggle. However, Amnesty International has also emphasized that this restitution alone is inadequate to address the full extent of historical injustices they faced. The construction of the Itaipú dam, a joint venture by Brazil and Paraguay completed between 1975 and 1982, resulted in significant displacement and other human rights violations against the Avá Guaraní. Details about the dam project can be found on the Itaipu Binacional’s official website.
The settlement obligates Itaipu Binacional to formally apologize for its role in these human rights violations and to ensure the delivery of reparations. It remains clear that full reparation and restoration of the territory are necessary measures to allow the indigenous communities to recover their traditional livelihoods. Additional commentary on the need for comprehensive reparations is available on this site about Ava Guarani culture and rights.
While the agreement marks a significant acknowledgment of past grievances, Amnesty International warns that comprehensive reparations involving full restitution of territory and acknowledgment of rights remain contingent on both governmental and corporate accountability. As per international obligations, human rights due diligence is mandatory, resonating with the tenets of the U.N.’s outlines on corporate responsibility and the rights of indigenous peoples.