Brazil using coronavirus to cover up assaults on Amazon, warn activists

Fears for indigenous tribes as Jair Bolsonaro's 'land grabbers decree' may be pushed forwardsAs the coronavirus pandemic eats its way into the Amazon, raising fears of a genocide of its vulnerable indigenous tribes, the government of the far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, and its supporters are dismantling rules shielding protected reserves. Key environment officials have been sacked, as environmentalists and indigenous leaders fear the pandemic is being used as a smokescreen for a new assault on the rainforest.A presidential decree awaiting Congress approval and new rules at the indigenous agency Funai effectively legalise land grabbing in protected forests and indigenous reserves, they said. Continue reading...