COIAB REPUDIATES CONTACT WITH KORUBO, FUNAI REJOICES WITH THE
CONTACT
The Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of Brazilian Amazonia
(Coiab) repudiated the contact made by Funai with the Korubo, isolated
Indians who live in the Javari Valley, in the state of Amazonas, on the
border between Peru and Colombia. The contact, which was coordinated by
expert Sidney Possuelo, took place on October 15, after several attempts.
The Indians were approached for the first time ten years ago. Possuelo
says he wants to protect the Korubo from the attacks of woodcutters who
are exploiting timber in the region.
In Coiab's opinion, this contact is a repetition of past mistakes and
actions of disregard for indigenous rights. "Historically, the indigenous
movement has been against contact fronts, considering that the contacts
promoted by the Brazilian State through Funai have led to physical and
cultural violence against Indians," the note says. Coiab requested Funai
to provide explanations on what the agency intends to do with this contact
and how the Indians will be protected after being contacted. No reply was
provided.
KAINGANG RELEASE HOSTAGES AFTER AGREEMENT
An agreement between the Kaingang Indians, the National Colonization
and Land Reform Institute (Incra) and Funai ensured, on Sunday (October
27), the release of the four hostages - the last two of whom had been
taken on Saturday - who were being held by Indians of the Toldo Pinhal
area in the state of Santa Catarina. According to the agreement, the
agencies took on the commitment to remove from an indigenous area 53
families of farmers who 50 years ago bought the land they live in from the
Luce e Rosa company and expelled the Kaingang from their 894-hectare
territory, which was declared an indigenous area in 1994. The Indians
threaten to take harsh measures on November 27 if the promises are not
fulfilled.
INDIGENOUS BABIES INFECTED IN MATERNITY IN RORAIMA
An outbreak of a hospital infection in the nursery of the Mother-Child
Hospital Nossa Senhora de Nazare in the state of Roraima has killed 33
babies since the beginning of October. The news was only disseminated
this week. At least 8 of these babies were Indians from the Macuxi,
Wapixana, Ingariko and Yanomami ethnic groups. The last baby to die, a
Yanomami girl, drew the attention of the national media. She was the twin
sister of a boy whose life is at risk in the Intensive Care Unit of the
hospital. The 17-day old Yanomami twins were infected on the 19th of this
month. The Yanomami girl died after being infected with the Acinetobacter
Calcoacetisus bacterium. The poor infrastructure of the hospital and the
lack of funds are believed to have been the main causes of the tragedy.
XAVANTE INDIANS REQUEST GAIGER's RESIGNATION TO MINISTER JOBIM
A week after they dragged the president of Funai out of the building
of the agency, the Xavante Indians came to Brasilia again to request
Gaiger's resignation to the Consumer Defence, Environment and Minorities
Committee of the Chamber of Deputies and to the minister of Justice,
Nelson Jobim. The Xavante referred to Geiger as "unreliable." The minister
gave no reply to the Indians but promised to consider their claims.
Brasilia, 31 October 1996
Indianist Missionary Council - Cimi