On 25 January 2019, it happened again, this time in Brumadinho, Brazil: a mine tailings dam broke. 272 persons were killed, hundreds injured, thousands lost their homes and livelihoods, rivers and water sources were polluted. After three years, the affected communities are still waiting for comprehensive reparation.

The case is representative of a systematic chain failure of the mine operator, state oversight and privatized monitoring by certification companies. Would this crime have been prevented if at the relevant time of events, the German or an EU supply chain law had been in place? What can be done to make sure a new EU law will not leave any loopholes and will do everything possible to prevent such crimes from happening. Not only the people of Brumadinho, but all mining affected communities need good answers.

Panel:

Ben Vanpeperstraete, ECCHR, organization that filed a criminal complaint against the certifier company and is part of the initiative that advocated for the German supply chain law

Danilo Chammas, Brazilian lawyer and member of advisory team of RENSER in Brumadinho that supports victims to organize and struggle for truth, justice, reparation

Maria Arena (S&D), Member of the European Parliament that has supported a resolution calling for a mandatory EU framework on corporate due diligence and accountability, Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights

Claudia Müller-Hoff, ECCHR (facilitator)

The event will take place in English and Portuguese with simultaneous translation and will be streamed live via Facebook (English) and YouTube (Portuguese).