Today, it is International Indigenous People’s Day (9 August), and it is eight months since the murder of the Guarani Julite Lopes (73 years old), during the repossession of Kurussu Ambá, in Mato Grosso do Sul. It is also a month and a day since the murder of Ortiz Lopes, from the same community. Because of these murders of indigenous people who are fighting for their land, Amnesty International has asked the Federal Police and the federal and state authorities to pay special attention and concentrate on this situation.

                       

Today, it is also eight months and a day since four Kurussu Ambá leaders were imprisoned. The criminal proceedings faced by these indigenous people are being dealt with at the state level, when it is the Federal Police (PF) that should be looking into the case. Up to the present time, the PF has also not yet opened up an inquiry into identify the people who murdered Ortiz Lopes.

 

The document that Amnesty International (AI) has sent to the authorities recalls that the situation faced by the Guarani is still precarious. “The murder of Marcos Veron, in January 2003, was followed by the murder of Dorvalino Rocha, in December 2005 [Dorival Benites was also murdered in June 2005 during the repossession of Sombrerito], and the shooting to death of Xuretê (Julite) Lopes in January this year. In none of these cases have the murderers been brought to justice, thus continuing the long history of impunity and judicial tardiness that affects indigenous cases”, says the document.

 

On International Indigenous People’s Day, it is worth remembering that not only do these murders remain unpunished, there is also a tendency to consider murders that are committed in the fight for land as common crimes and thus, have them judged by State Courts.

                       

Task Force and the urgent need for Land

 

The violence and the failure of indigenous peoples in Mato Grosso do Sul to have their own land are mobilizing many sectors and institutions in Brazil and the world. However, it is, above all, leading the Guarani to mobilize and demand their rights. In August, commissions of Federal Deputies and domestic and international human rights bodies are programmed to visit the state. There will also be seminars with the presence of indigenous representatives from the country.

 

The Indigenous People’s Rights Committee of Brazilian Bar Association (MS Branch) was in Kurussu Ambá and will send a report asking for urgent measures to be taken with respect to the imprisonment and murder of members of this community.

 

Several initiatives are underway to reverse this situation. Nevertheless, one thing is of fundamental importance: the political decision of the Brazilian government to demarcate the lands and put an end to the impunity that is rife in the region.

 

 

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIGHT AGAINST TRANSPOSITION, CELPE CUTS OFF THE POWER SUPPLY TO THE TRUKÁ PEOPLE’S ISLAND

 

The 1200 Truká families that live on Assunção Island, near Cabrobó, in Pernambuco, spent 7 and 8 August with no electricity supply. This morning (9 August), Celpe, the Pernambuco Power Company switched the supply to the island back on again.

 

On the one hand, Celpe claims that it has not been paid. On the other hand, the Truká have not received compensation from Coelba, the Bahia Power Company, which has power transmission lines in the indigenous land.

 

Electric power has been an issue for the Truká since 2000, when the ranchers were removed from the people’s land. At that time, Celpe installed a single electricity meter. Three years later, they invoiced the National Foundation for Indigenous People (Funai), who didn’t pay. 

 

Later, after discussions between the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPF/PE), Funai and Truká leaders, it was decided that Celpe would install individual meters on the island. At the time, it was also said that Coelba should compensate the people for using their land to house its transmission lines. These proposals were, however, not carried out.

On 6 August, without any prior warning, Celpe completely cut off the supply of electricity to Assunção Island. As a result of this, the school and the health post did not operate. The people also went without drinking water.

 

After receiving a request from the MPF/PE, Celpe restored the supply, but the solution to the problem will be discussed tomorrow (10 August) in a meeting between the Truká leaders, Funai, Celpe and MPF/PE. The indigenous people also want Coelba to be present.

 

Transposition

The leader Neguinho Truká believes that the power may have been cut off as a form of retaliation, because of the people’s protests against the São Francisco River transposition project. Around 500 members of the Truká people remain in a repossessed part of their land. They are demanding that the conclusion of the studies to identify the area. The land that they are claiming may be affected by the transposition. This project, if it is carried out, will affect the lives of the people on Assunção Island. 

 

Indianist Missionary Council

(www.cimi.org.br)

Brasília, 9 August 2007