Wanita Amazon Alessandra Korap Menangi Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Prize 2020

Alessandra Korap (Twitter / @ Alessandra_Korap)

JAKARTA - Alessandra Korap from the Munduruku tribe in the Amazon, Brazil, won the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights prize 2020. The award in the field of Human Rights (HAM) was given to Korap for his role in defending human rights, ancestral lands, and the culture of Brazilian indigenous peoples.

“This gift is not for myself, it is for all the indigenous Brazilian people who are screaming for help. It has strengthened our cause. We will scream louder, ”said the 36-year-old woman, quoted by Reuters, Friday, October 23.

The award to Korap was given directly by former US senator, Kerry Kennedy. Korap is also entitled to 30 thousand US dollars or the equivalent of Rp440 million.

"The Munduruku people of Brazil are warriors, and they have endured more than five hundred years of oppression, attempts to destroy their ancestral lands, and attempts to flee with their natural resources," Kerry said.

Tune in to our virtual Human Rights Award Ceremony in just one hour! Join @RFKHumanRights and @JohnKerry as we celebrate Indigenous rights activist Alessandra Korap Munduruku and her courageous commitment to human rights. #RFKAwards https://t.co/dfZdhKyjoC

- Kerry Kennedy (@KerryKennedyRFK) October 22, 2020

The former senator said Munduruku actively opposed illegal mining and logging. "The constant, violent, sometimes state-sponsored push so that loggers and miners exploit their land."

Korap's courage to speak out to stop the construction of a hydroelectric dam (PLTA) on the Tapajos River has inspired many others. The development of PLTA is said to destroy the forest where they live. Former US Secretary of State John Kerry also paid tribute.

Korap's struggle was quite long. Moreover, at that time Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro closed access to education and health for the Munduruku indigenous people.

Not only that. Bolsonoro even turns a blind eye to illegal loggers and gold miners who are increasingly destroying their forests.