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To whom it may concern, 
	We writing to present concerns in regards to the possibility of
California establishing REDD related market linkages with Acre. We
understand that the state of California continues to argue that
Acre is the most advanced REDD jurisdiction in the world, and that
the concerns that have been raised are not relevant. 
	Firstly, we would like to register our disagreement with the
consultation process established by the State. It is our
understanding that this process has not led to the inclusion of
critical reflections in regards to the proposal, which seriously
undermines the quality of any policy. 
	Secondly, we would like to let you know that during the year 2013,
the Rapporteur on the Human Right to the Environment (Relatoria do
Direito Humano ao Meio Ambiente, or RDHMA) of the Brazilian
Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights Platform
(Plataforma Brazil) conducted two field visits for its fact-finding
and advocacy mission as a result of denunciations received in
regards to the negative socio-political, economic and environmental
impacts of the System of Incentives for Environmental Services
(Sistema de Incentivos aos Serviços Ambientais, or SISA), private
REDD projects and Sustainable Forestry Management projects in the
State. Plataforma Dhesca is a network of civil society
organizations that carries out actions to promote and defend human
rights, as well as advocacy to obtain redress for human rights
violations. The Rapporteurs’ work is to diagnose, report on and
recommend solutions for rights violations identified by civil
society. They conduct in loco missions to investigate the
denunciations they receive and, with the goal of supporting demands
for redress for the violations, they undertake initiatives to
engage public 
authorities and other entities involved in the conflicts. 

The main problems found are related to the existence and deepening
of territorial conflicts, both in territories already controlled by
communities and local peoples and those subject to uncertainty
around land tenure. These conflicts, in turn, affect the
communities’ capacity to guarantee their livelihoods, as well as
the preservation and promotion of their culture and identity.
Violations in regards to the right to information and participation
we also found. The Acre government demonstrated a lack of political
will and capability of leading with these problems. Furthermore,
concerns were also raised due to the fact that the Federal
government does not recognize SISA.
	The situation reveals a violation of various international
treaties signed by Brazil as well as the Brazilian constitution and
other laws and policies. 
	As a result, we recommend that the California State abstain itself
from establishing REDD related market linkages with Acre, and
establish effective dialogue with the organizations, movements and
communities raising concerns in regards to SISA and the private
REDD projects in Acre as well as to the risks they are facing to
carry out the profession as a result of their critical position. 
	It is also important to mention that other recommendations are
made in the Final Report such as the need for the Federal Public
Prosecutor to investigate the denunciations of rights violations in
the Acre, that the certifies – VCS and CCBA – re-evaluate the
projects, that the funders – BNDES and KfW – stop financing these
policies and that the federal government guarantee the rights of
the communities affected by REDD projects in Acre. 
	Attached is the Final Report of the Mission in Portuguese.
Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to translate it, but
please let us know if you need any further information. 
	Regards
	Cristiane Faustino and Fabrina Furtado