PATAXO INDIANS UNDER RISK OF MASSACRE IN BRAZIL
Farmers who invaded the traditional territory of the Pataxo
Ha-Ha-Hae Indians in the state of Bahia continue to threaten them.
Indian-supporting entities have been warning that the situation may
lead to a massacre in the area at any moment.
The tension increased after the indigenous population recovered
five farms located in their area a few days after the death of leader
Galdino Pataxo, on April 20. Galdino, who was in Brasilia as a member
of a delegation of his people to claim the invaded land, was burned
alive.
In addition to the shock caused by the barbaric crime, the Pataxo
people have virtually become hostage of the farmers. The threats and
retaliation have become more intense as the date for the judgment by
the Federal Regional Court of a writ of prevention proposed by the
Department of Justice draws near. The suit requests that the Pataxo be
allowed to remain in the five farms. A Pataxo group is in Brasilia,
the capital, to attend the trial, which will probably be scheduled for
next week. According to Gerson Pataxo, "our lives are in the hands of
these judges." He also said that his people will not leave the land
they reoccupied and demands a final decision from the courts allowing
the Pataxo to occupy the claimed territory once and for all.
This Friday, 29 defense witnesses of the four killers of Galdino
Pataxo will be heard by the Federal District Court. Because he is a
minor, the fifth assassin has been judged already and sentenced to the
strictest punishment provided for infractor adolescents in Brazil:
three-year institutionalization.
A MONUMENT TO GALDINO PATAXO
Through its governor, union, student and Cimi representatives, and
other Indian-supporting groups, the population of Brasilia paid homage
to Galdino Pataxo by placing a sculpture by Siron Franco, a renowned
Brazilian artist, in the Compromisso Square, where the Indian was
killed. The sculpture is meant to represent Galdino and symbolize
Justice and Freedom.
TUPINIKIM AND GUARANI SEEK SUPPORT ABROAD
Tupinikim chief Luis Ramos and Mauricio Goncalves, representative
of the Guarani people, were received with cheers by 100 other Indians
at the airport of Vitoria, state of Espirito Santo, on the 3rd, as
they arrived from a trip to Norway and England. In those countries,
they met with congresspersons, representatives of the ministries of
Foreign Affairs and Trade, churches and NGOs and requested support to
the demarcation of their land, located in the municipality of Aracruz,
state of Espirito Santo.
The Bank of Norway is a shareholder of the Lorentzen company,
owner of 20% of the stock of the Aracruz Celulose corporation - which
invaded the traditional territory of the Tupinikim and Guarani. The
Indians are claiming 13,570 hectares and at the moment they occupy
only 4,500, which are not sufficient to ensure their physical and
cultural survival. The claimed area has been identified by the
official Indianist agency already, but because of the Decree 1,775/96,
issued by the federal administration to favor invaders of indigenous
areas, its demarcation is still pending.
Brasilia, 5 June 1997
Indianist Missionary Council