Carlos Alberto Ricardo

Beto Ricardo, a founder of one of Brazil’s most important social, environmental, and human rights organizations—the Center for Ecumenical Documentation and Information (CEDI)—has been a pioneer in advancing the links between human rights and environmental protection for decades.

When Brazil was drafting a new constitution in 1988, Ricardo prepared an important report in support of indigenous rights and the future of the Amazon. As a result of the national concern that was generated, indigenous people were given stronger guarantees in the new constitution. In 1989, CEDI was instrumental in laying the groundwork for an alliance between Indians and rubbertappers, two groups who coexist in Brazil’s vast rainforest, but who had traditionally fought each other. Ricardo also co-founded the Committee for the Creation of the Yanomami Park (CCPY). In the years surrounding the creation of CCPY, the Yanomami had been invaded by over 45,000 gold miners. In 1991, President Collor issued a decree creating a continuous reserve of 94,000 square kilometers for the Yanomami people. In 1993, some of the miners who had been forced from the area returned and massacred at least 20 Yanomami.