The Council for the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples and
Organizations of Brazil (CAPOIB) and the Forum in Defence of Indigenous
Rights launched yesterday (January 17) in Brasilia a campaign for the
revocation of decree n. 1,775, which regulates the demarcation of
indigenous lands in Brazil. The campaign was launched in a public
demonstration at the Tres Poderes square in Brasilia, in front of the
Planalto Palace. The demonstration brought together indigenous
representatives from all regions of the country, Indian-supporting
entities, congressmen and artists. At the most important moment of the
demostration, Indians and artists headed to the entrance to the Supreme
Court and adorned the statue of Justice with indigenous ornaments and
weapons. As they were not received for an audience with the President of
the Republic, they filed a manifesto demanding the revocation of the
decree. In the afternoon, the same demonstration was held at the Chamber
of Deputies, where the manifesto was delivered to the Presidents of the
Human Rights Commission, Nilmario Miranda, of the Minorities' Commission,
Jose' Sarney Filho, and of the Chamber of Deputies, Luis Eduardo
Magalhaes.
In the document, Capoib and the Forum say that President Fernando
Henrique Cardoso and the Minister for Justice, Nelson Jobim, are
responsible ''for every piece of land robbed from indigenous peoples, for
every drop of blood that falls to the ground at the hands of assassin
gunmen hired by landowners, timber companies, distilleries, businessmen,
mining companies, municipalities, states and other political and economic
interests''. Reactions against demarcations are beginning to appear. The
first one came from the company Sattin Agropecuaria e Imoveis against the
Sete Cerros Indian Area, which belongs to the Guarani-Kaiowa people,
located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Sattin has been fighting
against the demarcation of that area for one year before the High Federal
Court (STF). Supported by the Agricultural Federation of the State, the
company is also against the existence of the Panambizinho village, which
also belongs to the Guarani-Kaiowa and where a high suicide rate has been
registered, and which was expanded in December by minister Nelson Jobim.
In the state of Parana, an area belonging to the Kaigang Indians was
invaded by settlers who are claiming the right to occupy it based on the
new decree.
The demonstration has produced positive results already. The Minister
of Justice broke his silence and is expected to speak at the Minorities'
Commission on January 24. This Thursday, new actions to be taken as part
of the campaign were discussed at a new meeting of the Forum, including
meetings with representatives of the G-7 to request the suspension of the
funds to be provided to Brazil as part of the cooperation mechanism that
was signed for the demarcation of indigenous lands that mey now be used to
review the size of these areas. Indigenous delegations, as well as
congressmen, will also attend audiences to be held at the Un and the OAS.
The Forum will file a petition at the Office of the Attorney General
requesting that a suit brought against the decree on the grounds that it
is unconstitutional. A signed petition will be circulated in Brazil and
abroad and indigenous peoples will remain permanently mobilized in
Brasilia throughout this year.
Brasilia, January 18th, 1996
Indianist Missionary Council - CIMI