CAPOIB PROTESTS AT THE MINORITIES' COMMISSION
Yesterday (January 24), representatives of the Council for the
Articulation of Indigenous Peoples and Organizations of Brazil
(CAPOIB) left the informal meeting at which the minister of Justice,
Nelson Jobim, was heard on the approval of Decree 1,775 before it was
over. They did so to protest against the absence of discussions at the
audience scheduled by the Environment, Minorities and Consumer Defense
Commission, as requested by the minister himself. The president of the
Consumer Defense Commission, Jose' Sarney Filho, was infuriated by the
document delivered to the Commission and, shouting, described it as
''a very silly act, unworthy of responsible political leaders''.
In the document read by Sebastiao Manchinery, the Indians
expressed their outrage at Decree 1,775, recalling their warnings
about the invasions which have been taking place since last year.
According to information from the press, 16 invasions of indigenous
lands have been registered since the decree was signed and the
demarcation of different areas is being contested before Funai. The
Indians of CAPOIB also stressed that president Fernando Henrique
Cardoso did not honor his commitment that another decree would not be
issued before a comprehensive discussion between indigenous leaders
and Minister Nelson Jobim was held. The indigenous leaders said that
the minister refused to grant an audience to the entity on various
occasions. According to CAPOIB, the objective of the minister in the
meeting was to win a stronger support from the National Congress to
the decree. The indigenous leaders demanded that discussions be held
on equal terms and with the participation of specialist jurists
proposed by the indigenous movement. Oppositionist congressmen are
pressing hard for the granting of the audience in question.
After the indigenous leaders left, Sarney Filho proceeded with the
meeting aimed at favoring Minister Jobim, who spoke for one hour and
forty-five minutes, against just twenty minutes granted to CIMI's
representative. In his speech, the Minister defended the adversary
system and admitted that he is not interested in discussing the issue.
During his speech, Minister Jobim informed that he would be
personally going to Germany. After the meeting, the Forum for the
Defense of Indigenous Rights found out that the Minister will be
visiting other G-7 countries, the UN and the Organization of American
States (OAS) and that he will be also holding a meeting with NGOs in
London. The Forum believes that the Minister will try to soften
reactions to the decree before indigenous leaders visit the same
places, as published in the press on dates yet to be defined.
Tomorrow, indigenous representatives from Minas Gerais and CAPOIB
will take part in an audience with Governor Eduardo Azeredo, where
support to the demarcation of the Maxacali area and to the revocation
of the new decree will be requested.
Brasilia, January 25th, 1996
Indianist Missionary Council - CIMI