New Brazil development law risks Amazon deforestation, UN expert warns

UN expert warns new Brazil development law could lead to Amazon deforestation and environmental abuses, risking human rights violations. Critics fear the proposed legislation, dubbed the "devastation bill," could roll back decades of environmental protections, particularly in the Amazon region. The bill aims to simplify environmental licensing for infrastructure projects but faces opposition from experts and environmental groups. President Lula da Silva has until August 8 to decide whether to approve or veto the legislation, amid concerns about its potential impacts on the environment and indigenous communities.