By way of background, recent demarcation of two large
indigenous areas by Brazilian President Collor set off a storm
of protest and acts of resistance by Amazonian governors,
legislators and members of the military. The Governor of
Amazonas State, Gilberto Mestrinho, has threatened to call out
5,500 military police to prevent the demarcation of the
Yanomami reserve. Representative Atila Lins (Amazonas)
introduced a bill that would limit the size of indigenous areas
to a maximum of 200 hectares (494 acres) per Indian. Other
federal legislators are attempting to block appropriations for
the actual demarcation of the newly decreed reserves.
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PROTEST THE VIOLENCE AND THREATS AGAINST THE INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES OF AMAZONIA
The recent acts of violence against the indigenous peoples
of Amazonia, in disregard of and contempt for the Constitution
and for the right to life, are part of a premeditated policy of
extermination.
The threatened use of 5,500 members of the military police
force of Amazonas to obstruct the demarcation of indigenous
lands in the state, in violation of article 231 of the federal
Constitution, is an irresponsible and criminal position on the
part of Governor Gilberto Mestrinho.
The function of the police is to guarantee the security and
the rights of the citizens, not to serve special economic and
political interest groups, nor to foster hate and animosity
against indigenous peoples.
Governor Mestrinho, along with the other governors in
Amazonia, will be held responsible for any acts of violence and
aggression that may be brought against the indigenous peoples.
It is ridiculous to assert that the demarcation of the lands
of the Ticuna, Mura, Marubo, Yanomami and others will destroy
the economies of these states, when nothing is said about the
millions of hectares in the hands of a few large landowners
like MANASA, APLUB and others. Moreover, such assertions
reveal positions that are bigoted and racist.
We consider as scandalous the attitudes of some
legislators, such as Euler Ribeiro, Atila Lins, Aureo Mello and
others, who use the legislative rostrum to slander and attack
the fundamental and constitutional rights of indigenous
peoples.
The position of segments of the military to deny the rights
of indigenous people to their lands is incomprehensible, when
these are guaranteed by the Constitution, which they are bound
to respect and defend.
Such factors foster violence and social unrest, as
illustrated by the recent ransacking and attempted homicide in
the office of COIAB - the Coordination of the Indigenous
Organizations of Brazilian Amazonia.
It is scandalous that the plunder of the wealth of Amazonia,
in particular within indigenous areas, is promoted by the
governors and practiced by the mining and timber companies in
the name of development, when it only serves to enrich a
handful of groups.
After 500 years of the invasion of America, the violence,
domination and extermination of the native peoples of this
continent is being intensified.
In spite of this, the indigenous peoples of Amazonia are not
only resisting but are strengthening their organizations and are
offering development alternatives for the region.
Manaus, Amazonas Brazil November 29, 1991
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Letters of protest are requested to the following officials:
1) State Governor (salutation: Vossa Excelencia/ Your
Excellency)
Exmo. Sr. Governador do Estado do Amazonas
Sr. Gilberto Mestrinho
Palacio Rio Negro
Avenida 7 de Setembro
69.000 - Manaus - Amazonas
Brasil
2) President (salutation: Vossa Excelencia/ Your Excellency)
Ilmo. Sr. Fernando Collor de Mello
Presidente da Republica
Palacio do Planalto
70.150 - Brasilia - D.F.
Brasil
fax: 011-55-61-226-7566 or 011-55-61-211-1221
telex: 061-1088
3) Minister of Justice (salutation: Vossa Excelencia/ Your
Excellency):
Exmo. Sr. Jarbas Passarinho
Ministro da Justica
Ministerio da Justica
Esplanada dos Ministerios
Bloco 23
70.064 Brasilia DF, Brasil
Telegrams: Ministro Justica, Brasilia, Brasil
Telexes: 391 61103 MNJU BR, 391 611088 MNJU BR or 391
612313 MNJU BR
Faxes: 011-55-61-321-5145; 011-55-61-224-4357
4. Please send copies to:
Ambassador Rubens Recupero
Brazilian Embassy
3006 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington DC 20008