Brazilian lawmakers target conservation units and indigenous rights

Recent studies highlight a trend of legislative proposals in the Brazilian Congress that challenge environmental protections and indigenous rights.

A survey by the Rede Nacional Pró-Unidades de Conservação (Rede Pró-UC) identified 46 legislative propositions from the last four years that threaten or impact the protection of Conservation Units (UCs). Of the 31 lawmakers responsible for these proposals, 28 are seeking reelection or new seats in the 2026 elections. The Liberal Party (PL) accounts for the largest share, with 13 deputies responsible for 27 of the identified proposals. These initiatives affect various biomes and include efforts to halt executive decrees related to protected areas.

Simultaneously, data from the Indigenous Missionary Council (Cimi) reveals that 370 lawmakers in the last two legislatures introduced proposals weakening indigenous rights. Among these, 270 are involved in reelection bids. Many of these projects aim to annul land demarcation decrees or seek to transfer the authority for land demarcation from the executive branch to the National Congress. This legislative activity is viewed by advocates as an effort by political and economic sectors to prevent land demarcation and facilitate resource exploitation.