Another savage crime was commited in Brazil against the Yanomami Indians,
who live on the border with Venezuela. Seven children, five women, and two
of the Homoxi/Rtu village were murdered this week by miners; it seems that
the children were beheaded. The information was provided by the minister
of Justice, Mauri'cio Corre^a, in a statement on the Charter of the Indians
at the Chamber of Deputies. Information got about that at least five other
Yanomami were killed in July, also by miners.
The slaughter occurred at the same time that a campaing is being promoted
in Brazil against the right of Indian peoples to land areas. Under the pretext
of defending the Brazilian sovereignty, businessmen and congressmen for
Roraima, the State where the Yanomami area is located, have assumed positions
against the demarcation of the lands of this people. Deputy Nicias Ribeiro even
proposed an amendment to the Constitution prohibiting the demarcation of Indian
lands located on the border. In order to justify his bill, the deputy cites the
Yanomami territory as an example of a "large" area.
The position of the congressmen only serves to stimulate actions against the
Indians. When killing the Yanomami, the miners surely felt supported by those
who have been uttering statements against Indian peoples, who are being
accused of being potential separatists and enemies of Brazil's development.
The facts, however, show that they are victims of the greed of miners,
landowners, woodcutters and mining companies, who want to take possession
of Indian lands at any cost.
Of all Indian peoples in Brazil, the Yanomami is the one which has
suffered most aggressive acts against Indians in recent years. Between 1987
and 1991, at least two-thousand Yanomami were exterminated by miners who
invaded their territory. Less deaths have been registered since the area
was demarcated, but about 600 miners are still active in their territory.
The government is requesting the help from the Armed Forces to avoid a new
wave of violence against the Yanomami. A helicopter of the Brazilian Air
Force was sent to the location where the fourteen Yanomami were killed.
According to the National Indian Foundation, the Yanomami who live in
Homoxi/Itu left the village and seeking protection in assistance stations.
CIMI (Indianist Missionary Council) sent a note to the government demanding
the investigation of the slaughter, the conviction of the guilty ones, and
the removal of all invaders from the area. In the note, it also warns the
authorities that the campaigns against Indian rights may lead to further acts
of genocide.
Brasi'lia, August 19, 1993
CIMI - Indianist Missionary Council