Although 1993 was declared the International Year of
Indian Peoples by the UN (United Nations Organization), it
will not be remembered by Indians in Brazil as the best
year of the decade, at least in what regards the
demarcation of their lands. In 1993, the Brazilian
government demarcated less Indian lands than in the two
previous years.
The data was provided by FUNAI (National Indian
Foundation): in 1993, only ten areas were demarcated, as
opposed to nineteen in 1992 and seventeen in 1991. This
year, six areas were homologated, meaning that their
demarcation was confirmed by the President of the Republic
through decrees; last year, there were nine homologations,
and in 1991 the number was 105.
An additional fact underscores the seriousness of the
above-mentioned: according to the Brazilian Constitution,
October 8 of this year was the deadline for the
demarcation of all Indian lands in the country. The
deadline was not met and the constitutional provision was
not complied with. Today, of the 519 Indian areas located
in Brazil, no measures were taken so far to begin the
demarcation of 106 of them.
Some Indian peoples are becoming aware that it is
mostly up to them to ensure the demarcation of their
lands, since there is no political will on the part of the
government to do so. This year, some Indian communities
recovered their lands occupying or demarcating them on
their own initiative.
The occupation of Indian areas invariably gives rise
to troubled incidents. This week, 150 military policemen
violently expelled 800 Pataxo' Ha~-Ha~-Ha~e Indians from
three farms they had occupied because they are located
inside their traditional territory in the state of Bahia.
Several Indians were beaten.
The order to expel the Indians was issued by the
governor of Bahia, Antonio Carlos Magalha~es. The military
action was not only violent, but also illegal, as only the
Federal Police can enter Indian territories, which belong
to the Union, while the action of the Military Police is
restricted to the sphere of the states. A group of Pataxo'
Ha~-Ha~-Ha~e Indians is in Brasi'lia right now holding
contacts with congressmen and the attorney general to
ensure their return to the land which was invaded by the
farms.
Bras'ilia, December 8th, 1993
CIMI - Indianist Missionary Council