The Indianist Missionary Council and the Central Union Association
(CUT) in Para' are denouncing a conflict between squatters and land
grabbers in the Apiterewa Indian Area, where the Parakana~ Indians
live. The conflict was caused by the irregular settling of 240
families since last year by the National Colonization and Land Reform
Institute (Incra). Early last year, the conflict claimed the life of
an agricultural worker. More than 500 persons, squatters in good
faith, are living in an area comprising approximately 30 thousand
hectares, allegedly owned by a man called Wilson Torres. The land,
which was invaded in 1992, was ``donated'' by Torres for Land Reform
purposes, in exchange for the legalization of about 10 thousand
hectares in his name. He is known as a land grabber and lumber dealer
in the region. He is cited in reports issued by FUNAI for illegally
exploiting timber in the area in question and in spite of all
accusations against him, he continues to divide it into lots to sell
them.
In order to avoid a generalized conflict in the region, the
entities want Funai, the Federal Police, and the Office of the
Attorney General to speed up the demarcation, which was authorized in
1992, and the definition of the bounds of the Apiterewa area. They
also demand a joint action to curb the activities carried out by
miners, land grabbers, and lumber dealers, which pose risks to the
lives of squatters and to the cultural survival of the Parakana~
Indians. The entities want the squatters to be settled in another area
and the police to investigate land grabbing activities in lands
belonging to the Union. CUT confirmed that it is also filing a suit
against Incra for having illegally settled families in the area
without assisting them in any way.
GOVERNORS WANT ADVERSARY SYSTEM TO BE APPROVED
The Special Commission for the Demarcation of Indian Lands held
on Tuesday (August 29) the penultimate public audience to discuss
Constitutional Amendment Bill n. 133/92 proposed by federal deputy
Nicias Ribeiro, which forbids the demarcation of Indian lands located
close to the border. The governors of the states of Amazonas, Para',
Acre, Rondonia, and Roraima were invited to the audience. Only two of
them actually attended it: the governors of Amazonas, Amazonino
Mendes, and of Roraima, Neudo Campos. The governor of Rondonia sent a
representative.
The three unanimously stated that they are not against the
demarcation of Indian lands located close to the border, but the two
governors criticized the size of the areas and the procedures adopted
so far to demarcate them. Agreeing with the minister of Justice,
Nelson Jobim, they defended the inclusion of the adversary system in
the administrative procedures for demarcating Indian lands. Neudo
Campos even proposed that demarcations should be authorized by the
states, and not by the National Congress, which in his opinion should
not have the jurisdiction to do so, because it doesn't know and is not
interested in solving the problems faced in the region. Such proposal
defies the Constitution and would nurture pressures from large
landowners who have historically been favored by governors. This
Thursday, the Commission will have its last audience. The final report
will be issued on September 5.
Brasilia, September 01, 1995
Indianist Missionary Council