CHARTING NEW OPPORTUNITIES AT THE SÃO ROQUE HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANT IN BRUNÓPOLIS/SC: PUBLIC HEARING AS A MEANS OF ENSURING ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Authors

• Lídia Piúcco Ugioni
• Fabiana Marion Spengler

Abstract

The Movement of People Affected by Dams has been staunchly active in defending the rights of affected populations in their pursuit of access to water and energy as collective goods and common resources. In this scenario, the utilization would be collective and freely accessible, guaranteeing human dignity for all. However, this is not yet the path being followed, as is the case in the region of the São Roque Hydroelectric Plant (UHE São Roque), which has significantly impacted the lives of over 700 families in total. When their rights are not heard, the only recourse left is the possibility of resolving disputes through legal channels, although these processes commonly take a long time to be conducted. It is for this reason that the thesis to be defended in this article is that of using public hearings as a means to guarantee access to justice, using the specific case as an example to be followed. The problem revolves around the following question: Can the public hearing held in the municipality of Brunópolis/SC serve as an example of ensuring access to justice for those affected by the São Roque Hydroelectric Plant? To answer this question, the objective will be to verify the possibility of holding public hearings in the Santa Catarina municipalities affected by dams to ensure their rights neglected by companies and reduce environmental impacts caused. The methodology relies on a deductive approach, with a monographic procedure and techniques of bibliographical and documentary research, as well as the production of a field diary while attending the referenced public hearing. Primarily, it can be said that the public hearing focused on in this study is a form of access to justice that should be replicated in similar situations, considering that it was a way for the affected parties not only to present their demands but also to achieve the long-awaited access to justice.