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 Sebasti o 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 i s 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. 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
Please send copies to Amanaka'a at: (212) 253 9507 or at our e-mail
account. Thanks! For further information, please contact Amanaka'a or CIMI.
Source: CIMI, March 14, 1997
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South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC)
P.O. Box 28703
Oakland CA, 94604
Phone: (510)834-4263 Fax: (510)834-4264
Email: saiic@igc.apc.org
Office: 1714 Franklin Street, 3rd Floor, Oakland
Home Page: http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/nativeweb/abyayala/orgs/saiic/
For more information about SAIIC, send an empty email message to:
saiic-info@igc.apc.org