For one week, the Guajajara Indians in the state of Maranhao kept
82 persons as hostages (initially, they were more than 100) and blocked
a road which connects the municipality of Barra do Corda to the capital
of the state. They are demanding the removal of the village of Sao
Pedro dos Cacetes from their territory and punishment for the persons
involved in the murder, on 1st of this month, of Indian Augusto
Pereira, a 20-year old Guajajara Indian who was shot five times with
a rifle.
The hostages were released this week, after a meeting with the
minister of Justice, Maurmcio Corrja, and the governor of the state.
The Guajajara only agreed to negotiate in the presence of the
minister, as an attempt to make sure that the promises to remove the
invaders will be made good. Several other agreements have not been
complied with, particularly because the government of the state of
Maranhco is interested in keeping the village inside the Indian area.
The agreement provides for the creation of a commission made up of
representatives of the federal and state-level administrations, of
the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB), of CIMI, and of the Indians,
which will prepare a proposal for the removal of the invaders within 30 days.
The murder of Augusto Pereira in early November was not the first
agression upon this people, but rather one adding to so many others
registered in recent years. In 1979, nine pregnant Indians were killed
by dwellers of Sao Pedro dos Cacetes. The situation became so serious
on that occasion that the federal administration provided funds for
the families to be resettled elsewhere. However, although these funds
were actually given to the government of Maranhao, nothing happened.
The following year, 1980, two Guajajara Indians were killed by a
farmer and military policimen, who chopped their bodies and threw
their pieces in a river.
The 80's, which were beginning then, were tragic for the
Guajajara. They continued to be beaten, tortured, and killed, mainly
by the invaders and with the connivance of the security forces of the
state. 1990 arrived and the Indian area remained invaded. In May of
this year, nine Federal Police agents invaded a Guajajara village and
tortured several Indians, including women and children. They argued
that they were carrying out "an operation against the marijuana
traffic." With the help from Indians from other villages, the
Guajajara prevailed over them and seized their weapons, which were
returned after it was promised to them that the invaders would be
removed. Again, nothing was done.
Keeping invaders as hostages and blocking the roadway was the
means used by the Indians to be heard. If once more the agreement for
the removal of the invaders is not complied with, violence will linger
on and new deaths may occur - on both sides.
Brasilia, November 12th, 1992
CIMI - Indianist Missionary Council