XUKURU CARIRI INDIANS AND MISSIONARIES RECEIVE
DEATH THREATS, INDIGENOUS TERRITORY ILLEGALLY
LOGGED
Reports from CIMI (Indian Missionary Council) in Brasilia (on
Sept. 7th 1994)reveal that farmers have theatened to kill Indian
leader Maninha Xukuru and CIMI missionaries in Palmeira dos
Indios, state of Alagoas in the northeast of Brazil. The reason
being the recent relocation of the Xukuru Kariri Indians to their
original territories on Aug. 22nd part of which includes two farms
owned by Helio Alves de Carvalho and Leopoldino Torres. Two
missionaries, Saulo Feitosa and Angelo Bueno, were almost
lynched if it hadnUt been for a farmer who knew the family of one
of the missionaries and pleaded in their favor thus saving their
lives.
Since the the Indians have returned to their territories, local radio
stations have aired messages against them and missionaries and
their relatives. In parades of protest, farmers of the region have
threatened to use violence to drive the Xukuru Kariri out of the
area. The demarcation of this territory begun in 1989. Presently,
sixty two families totalling 303 people have camped in the two
farms under trees and makeshift huts.
Farmer Helio Alves de Carvalho begun to cut down trees out of
one of the forests located within the Indigenous territory to sell
the wood to sawmills in Palmeira dos Indios. At least one
hundred truckloads of wood were cut down.
Rumors spread through the city that an armed attack against the
Indians could take place at any moment. The Federal Police,
which is supposedly in charge of protecting the Indians, has not
sent any agents to the region so far. The FUNAI (National Indian
Foundation), has been reluctant to call the Federal Police claiming
that with the tension in the region, the Indians could be forced to
agree on having their lands reduced.
The CIMI says it is urgent to send as many fax messages,
telegrams, and letters as possible to the Minister of Justice and to
the Mayor of Palmeira dos Indios demanding them to prevent the
killing of the Xukuru Kariri Indians. Please request that the
Minister send the Federal Police to the Indian territory, and the
mayor should be asked to curb the threats posed against the
Indians.
Please write as soon as possible to the following addresses.
Sample Letter for Minister of Justice and Mayor:
Honorable ------------:
I am writing in regards to the Xukuru Kariri Indians of Alagoas. I
am horrified by their present situation. As you may well know,
they have received life threats from local farmers, negative radio
broadcastings, and rumors of retaliation after their recent
occupation of their demarcated lands. I am also aware that two
missionaries were almost lynched. I urge you to send the Federal
Police on their behalf and stop these acts violence.
Send to:
Ministro Alexandre Dupeyrat
Ministerio da Justica
Esplanada dos Ministerios
70064-900 Brasilia - DF
Fax (55 - 61) 224-2448
Lenildo Ribeiro
Prefeitura de Palmeira dos Indios
Praca da Independencia, 34
57600-010 Palmeira dos Indios, AL
Fax (55 - 82) 421-3202