(In) justiça ambiental e gestão de risco: acesso a direitos e políticas públicas dos deslocados pelas Barragens de Acauã (2000) e Camará (2004) na Paraíba

Abstract

This thesis aims to analyze the relationship between large-scale development projects and the displacement of people. Human mobility, in general, involves a complex set of social and economic demands. In cases of displacement—where individuals are forcibly removed from their place of origin— vulnerability is even greater, placing those affected in situations of crisis and insecurity. Repeated disasters caused by lack of oversight and negligence have had a significant impact on communities, vulnerable groups, and individuals. Combined with the absence of a specific protective legal framework and a lack of consensus around a clear definition for these displaced populations, these issues have spurred academic, political, and legal efforts to ensure their protection and access to social rights. This research focuses on the phenomenon of displacement caused by dam construction in the state of Paraíba, Brazil—specifically the Acauã Dam (2000) and the Camará Dam (2004). It begins by addressing progress in the ongoing debate around environmental (in)justice, a concept that recognizes how populations already in vulnerable conditions tend to be disproportionately affected by environmental disasters. With regard to displacement, this thesis draws from a comprehensive and up-to-date literature review to contribute to the debate on how to define environmentally displaced persons and how to develop protective mechanisms for them. This includes exploring relevant aspects of international refugee law, particularly the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. Lastly, through a case study, the research explores displaced people's access to public policies in the context of the Acauã and Camará dams and how this access (or lack thereof) relates to environmental (in)justice. The study uses a multiple-case study approach with both qualitative and quantitative methods, drawing on fieldwork and bibliographic research. It incorporates technical reports and documents produced by various organizations, such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM Brazil), the Movement of People Affected by Dams (MAB), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The findings indicate that, despite the existence of federal and state-level policies regarding dam safety, the analyzed cases exhibit critical failures and negligence from the project planning stage through to postconstruction water management. In terms of access to public services and social rights, support has been limited—evidenced by incomplete or ineffective delivery of healthcare, education, transportation infrastructure, employment, and income-generation services.