Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro orchestrated a systematic assault on the Amazon and the world is paying the price.
BUT HE CAN BE Held accountable.
Through the law and the power of people rising together, justice is possible.
Case Overview
In October 2021, AllRise filed a landmark complaint against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro at the International Criminal Court, marking the first attempt to hold a head of state criminally accountable for environmental destruction on this scale.
The case alleges crimes against humanity arising from policies that accelerated deforestation, undermined environmental protections, and violated the rights of Indigenous peoples and other communities who depend on and defend the Amazon. By transforming systemic harm into enforceable justice, this case sets a global precedent for accountability, showing that even the most powerful leaders can be challenged when law and evidence converge.
The Evidence
AllRise’s Article 15 complaint exposes the Bolsonaro administration’s systematic assault on the Brazilian Legal Amazon, the rainforest’s largest and most biodiverse region. Government policies and inaction fueled deforestation, illegal mining, and forest fires, turning the Amazon from a vital carbon sink into a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. Indigenous communities and other Environmental Dependents and Defenders have faced persecution, lost land and resources, and endured serious threats to health and survival, while officials enabled criminal exploitation. The complaint also shows how these actions threaten global climate, biodiversity, and regional ecosystems, making this case a fight for planetary health.
Why This Case Matters
Global Precedent: This is the first case to challenge a head of state for climate-related crimes at the ICC.
Systemic Impact: By holding Bolsonaro accountable, the case reinforces the legal obligations of governments worldwide to protect human rights and the environment.
Public Engagement: Over 1 million people have supported the case, proving that accountability requires both legal strategy and societal pressure.
PARTNERS
AllRise are grateful to the following partners for their commitment to a better world and for helping us hold Bolsonaro to account.
