Indigenous Peoples in Brazil today: violence, rights violations and the constant fight for land protection
August 9 is International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. But instead of celebrating, Indigenous Peoples in Brazil are facing threats to their constitutional rights to Indigenous Lands
The latest threat to Indigenous People’s rights in Brazil came as a recommendation by the Attorney General’s Office, approved by Brazilian president Michel Temer, to adopt new criteria to recognize Indigenous Lands. The new process could not only halt more than 280 demarcation requests that are already underway, but it also states that only Indigenous Peoples who occupied or disputed areas in 1988 — when the constitution was written — may be entitled to it.
In practice, the new proposal — called “marco temporal” (a cut-off date for land claims) — grants amnesty for all violence against Indigenous People until 1988, including mass forced removals, torture, assassinations and even the creation of special prisons.
It’s not a coincidence that Indigenous Peoples in Brazil are facing these attacks. To keep his job after corruption allegations, Temer recently surrounded himself with allies from the agribusiness lobby — the most powerful caucus in the country’s Congress. In exchange, Temer is doing everything he can to keep their support: slashing Indigenous People’s rights included.
To report the current threats, ABIP — Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil — and 50 other organisations are calling on the United Nations and the Organisation of American States to make new recommendations to the Brazilian government. The current letter is an updated version of one sent in March, listing the violations to Indigenous People’s rights in Brazil.
On this International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, share this story and help shed a light on the fight of the Indigenous Peoples in Brazil.
Camila Rossi is an international communication analyst for Greenpeace Brazil
