For the third time, the Guarani community of Sucuriy returned to
their land on March 11, 1997. The area, which was legally
demarcated in 1996, has yet to have been disoccupied by the
rancher who claims it as his own. In December 1996, the
community made an attempt to return to the area, only to be
evicted by an armed group composed of the rancher, Sebastiao
Alves Marcondes, other landowners, and the mayor.
The Guarani Kaiowa of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, have faced
constant threat of eviction over the past several years. Their
lands are in many cases invaded by ranchers, even though some
are legally demarcated. This situation has led to a large
amount of deforestation in the area, as well a serious loss of
cultural identity and traditional practices. Many Guarani
communities, including that of Sucuriy, have lived for years
evicted from their land and by the sides of the roads.
Conditions are bleak, and have brought about a high rate of
suicide in a few communities.
On March 3, Judge Jean Marcos Ferriera of Campo Grande issued a
ruling guaranteeing the Sucuriy community's right to their land,
and giving rancher Sebastiao Alves Marcondes 30 days to leave
the area. The community returned on March 11, believing in the
ruling. On March 12, however, a judge in Sao Paulo overruled
the decision, responding to a petition submitted by the rancher.
The community is therefore in a tenuous situation once again, on
their land but faced with a real threat of eviction. They could
be evicted at any moment.
This worries us tremendously, because the Guarani have said that
they will not leave their land without a fight, and to the
death. This is especially serious because in the past, the
evictions have been carried out illegally by armed groups of
ranchers.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
---------------
=> We fear for the well-being of the community, and join CIMI <=
=> in urging that you to write the authorities involved, <=
=> expressing your concern for the safety and the future of the <=
=> Guarani community of Sucuriy. <=
PLEASE WRITE TO:
Prefeito Municipal de Maracaju
Sr. Reinaldo Azambuja da Silva
Fax: 011 55 67 454 2418
(The mayor of the town, who
accompanied the rancher during
the eviction in December)
-
Ministro do Tribunal Regional Federal da Terceira Regiao
Roberto Haddad
Fax: 011 55 11 605 3994
(The judge in Sao Paulo)
-
Juiz da Primeira Vara Federal de Campo Grande
Dr. Jean Marcos Ferreira
Fax: 011 55 67 726 3223
(The judge in Campo Grande)
-
Governador do Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul
Dr. Wilson Barbosa Martins Fax: 011 55 67 726 4176
-
Exmo. Sr.
Presidente da Republica
Dr. Fernando Henrique Cardoso Fax: 011 55 61 226 7566
Email: pr@planalto.gov.br
Please fax or email copies to Amanaka'a (see below). Thanks!
For further information, please contact Amanaka'a or CIMI.
Source: Indianist Missionary Council (CIMI), March 14, 1997
----Amanaka'a Amazon Network, 60 E 13th Street 5th Floor, NY, NY 10003 tel: 212.253.9502 fax: 212.253.9507
E-mail: urgent@amanakaa.org Web: http://www.amanakaa.org/