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NEWS FROM BRAZIL supplied by AGEN (Agencia Ecumenica de Noticias)
and Servico Brasileiro de Justica e Paz).
Number 91. August 12, 1993
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INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
- Indians from Espirito Santo fight to have their land
extended
The Tupinikim and Guarani Indians, living in the Aracruz
region of the State of Espirito Santo, have decided to fight for
the expansion of their lands. Their proposal is to get 13,270
more hectares annexed to their present area of 4,491 hectares,
which they consider insufficient for their physical and cultural
survival.
According to information from the Missionary Council for
Indigenous Peoples (CIMI) and the Catholic diocese of Colatina
(ES), the Indians have the legal right to 129,600 hectares,
"donated" in 1610, by the governor at the time, Francisco Aguiar
Coutinho. The area was demarcated in 1760 and later confirmed in
1860 by D. Pedro the Second. The 1,170 Tupinikim and Guarani
Indians, divided into 5 villages, live, at the moment, under
precarious conditions in three separated areas, surrounded by
eucalyptus plantations, and are struggling to preserve their
culture and their local environment.
According to the CIMI, the wildlife, flora, rivers and
streams on their land are in an advanced state of extinction, due
mainly to the activities of the multinational, Aracruz Cellulose,
considered to be an invader of indigenous territories.
By expanding their land, the Tupinikim and Guarani hope to
reunite their villages geographically. They have already secured
the support of 32 Brazilian and international entities and in
July, they went to Brasilia to formalize their request with the
National Indian Foundation (FUNAI) and with the Attorney General.
Letters of support for the Tupinikim and Guarani can be sent
to:
Presidente da Republica, Dr. Itamar Franco,
Palacio dos Tres Poderes,
Cep 70150, Brasilia,
DF, Brazil, fax 061.226.7655:
FUNAI, fax 061.226.8627;
Procuradoria Geral da Republica, fax 061.313.5444
and Ministerio da Justica,
gabinete do ministro, Mauricio Correa,
fax 061.321.5145.
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