Subject: possibly for <iearn.fp>?
Date: Sat, 4 Sep 93 22:37:44
Organization: Copen Family Fund
Bill and Jim,
Andy Alm passed this along to me and I thought you might
want to consider it for the <iearn.fp> conference.
Ed
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URGENT ACTION NEEDED
Dear Friends -
I am writing on behalf of the Territorial Rights Working Group of the
Coalition in Support of Amazonian Peoples and their Environment.
The Brazilian Constitution requires the demarcation of all indigenous
territories by October 5, 1993. As this deadline approaches there have been
growing attacks on indigenous rights including repeated calls in the
Brazilian Congress and by local officials for a reversal of demarcations
that have already taken place, including Yanomami. We are asking at this
extraordinary moment, to show your concern by supporting a mass mobilization
by Indigenous leaders and Brazilian NGO's.
More than 40 organizations have come together in Brazil to create the
Forum in Defense of Indigenous Rights which has launched a campaign for the
demarcation of all indigenous lands. The are asking for international
support. Here's how you can help:
1. Please have the head of your organization sign the letter below
supporting the Forum in Defense of Indigenous Rights. Send the letter to -
Forum en Defesa dos Direitos Indigenas - Nucleo de Estudos da Amazonia das
Universidade de Braxilia - Edificio Multiuso - Campus Universitario -
70910-900 - Brasilia - DF - Brazil. Please let us know as soon as possible
the name and title of the person who will sign the letter for your
organization. The Rainforest Foundation (Fax 212-431-9197)
The letter will be sent to the Forum. On September 16 there will be a
mobilization of indigenous leaders and NGO's in Brasilia. They will be
lobbying the Congress and will later present our letter to President Itamar
Franco with all the petitions and letters they have gathered. A delegation
will present the letter to the Brazilian Ambassador in Washington.
2. SEND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE MOBILIZATION OF INDIAN LEADERS. The
forum hopes to bring some 500 Indigenous leaders to Brasilia for the
September 16th action. They will hold their own congress on the 17th to
plan further strategies and actions. Because the distance between
indigenous territories in Brazil is vast bringing them together is
expensive. The overall budget is $99,650. The desperately need
contributions of any size. A special bank account is currently being set
up by the Fundacao Mata Virgem and CIMI in Brasilia. For information on
where to send contributions please call or fax any of the number below.
Fundacao Mata Virgem - Phone # 55-61-224-3547 Fax # 55-61-321-4377 CIMI -
Phone # 55-61-225-9457 Fax # 55-61-225-9401 The Rainforest Foundation Phone
# 212-431-9098 Fax # 212-431-9197
Thanks for your prompt action. This is clearly a critical moment in
the fight for indigenous peoples and their environment in Brazil and we can
help make a difference.
For the Territorial Rights Working Group of the Coalition in Support of
the Amazonian Peoples and Their Environment, Larry Cox - Executive Director
- The Rainforest Foundation
Exmo. Sr. Itamar Franco Presidente da Republica
Your Excellency,
We are leaders of the organizations whose millions of members are
working for the protection of human rights and the environment in our own
country and throughout the world.
We strongly support the Forum in Defense of Indigenous Rights and the
many Brazilian citizens and organizations who are calling of the demarcation
of all indigenous territories by the constitutional deadline of October 5,
1993. We are extremely concerned that fewer than half of Brazil's
indigenous territories have been demarcated and for some 100 territories the
process has not even begun.
Recently, we joined in the shock horror, and outrage of people
throughout the world at the massacre of scores of Yanomami men, women and
children by gold miners who had invaded their territory. There can surely
be no more powerful evidence of the urgency of actions to protect indigenous
peoples and to create an atmosphere and practice of respect for indigenous
rights.
The fulfillment of the constitutional obligation to demarcate all
indigenous territories, accompanied by effective steps to protect these
territories from invasion, will be a powerful signal and affirm your
government's commitment to the protection of indigenous peoples and their
lands. It will be a strong and much needed example to all governments.
Disregard of this important constitutional provision encourages the
continued invasion of the territories of indigenous peoples, degradation of
their environment, and violation of their most fundamental human rights
including the right to life.
In this International Year for Indigenous Peoples, we remain hopeful
that Brazil will demonstrate its leadership in the protection of human
rights and the environment and its firm commitment to the fulfillment of the
fundamental rights embodied in the Brazilian constitution.
Respectfully yours,
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Ed Gragert, Copen Family Fund
ed1@copenfund.igc.apc.org
-- I*EARN --
Youth Making a Difference in the World
Through Telecommunications
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