The Yanomami People and the Favela: A Comparative Analysis of Vulnerability and Differentiated Protection in Brazil

This research addresses the humanitarian crisis of the Yanomami in Brazil, using it as a lens to investigate the complex intersection of environmental, public health, and human rights issues. Through an integrative literature review, the study examines the national and international legal frameworks aimed at protecting indigenous rights, contrasting them with persistent implementation gaps, exacerbated by illegal mining and governmental inaction. The article delves into the "morbid paradox" of differentiated protection, which highlights the disparity in attention given to different vulnerable populations in Brazil. By drawing parallels and contrasts between the challenges faced by the Yanomami and by residents of urban favelas, particularly in Rio de Janeiro, the analysis reveals shared vulnerabilities, while also exposing the implications of selective state intervention and public focus. It concludes by advocating for comprehensive and equitable public policies that seek to overcome the logic of selective prioritization, aiming for the universal and dignified protection of all Brazilian citizens. Keywords: Yanomami. Favelas. Differentiated Protection. Vulnerability. Indigenous Rights.