11/09/2006 – 12:06 – Newsletter n. 731

–          Tupinikim and Guarani cut down eucalyptus trees to protest against delay in the demarcation of their lands

–          Bishop of Ji-Paraná, state of Rondônia, receives threats

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Tupinikim and Guarani cut down eucalyptus trees to protest against delay in the demarcation of their lands

 

During the morning of September 6th, 200 Tupinikim and Guarani indigenous people began to cut down eucalyptus trees near a seedling facility of the Aracruz Cellulose company located in an area that traditionally belongs to them and which is being exploited by the Aracruz company since the 1960s. The action was carried out to press the National Foundation for Indigenous People (Funai) to submit its decision on the demarcation of the land to the ministry of Justice (MJ). And they are asking the ministry of Justice to fulfill the commitment it made at a meeting held a few months ago to accept Funai’s decision. The deadline for Funai to decide on the contestations expired on August 20.

 

According to indigenous leader Wilson Guarani, Funai promised to submit the document to the ministry of Justice on Monday only, since tomorrow (the 7th) is a holiday in Brazil. But the indigenous people want ask for more: “We need more than Funai submitting its decision to the ministry. We need the ministry of Justice to fulfill its commitment to accept Funai’s decision and to take care of the necessary procedures within the established deadlines,” he said. The negotiations are being carried out through Raimundo José de Sousa Lopes, head of the office of the president of the foundation, Mércio Pereira Gomes.

 

The deadline for FUNAI to refer the process related to the demarcation of the Tupinikim/Guarani lands to the minister of Justice, Márcio Thomaz Bastos, expired on August 20. The minister, in turn, would have a deadline until September 20 to sign an administrative ruling declaring that the area is an indigenous land. However, the documents are still with FUNAI and they must first be submitted to the president of the agency, although its legal department has already assessed that the contestations filed against the demarcation of the area by the Aracruz Cellulose company are groundless.

 

 

BISHOP OF JI-PARANÁ, STATE OF RONDÔNIA, RECEIVES THREATS

Solidarity letter from Cimi

 

The bishop of Ji-Paraná, state of Rondônia,  D. Antonio Possamai, and other men and women of this municipality have been receiving death threats after denouncing acts of corruption and organizing demonstrations in defense of Ethics in Politics. The Indianist Missionary Council decided to publicly express its support to the members of the Diocese and to the struggle of the Churches to ensure quality in the political life of Rondônia. 

 

In August, a poster with a picture of the governor of Rondônia and of 23 members of the state legislature involved in cases of corruption was distributed by the Diocese of Ji-Paraná, the Evangelical Lutheran Confession Church in Brazil, the Priest Ezequiel Project, the Transparency Forum of Ji-Paraná, Diocesan Cáritas and the Council of Laypersons of the Diocese.

 

A note left last Friday, September 1, at the door of the Diocesan Curia with threats against the life of the bishop D. Antonio Possamai and the people linked to the Pastoral of the Diocese worried Cimi. Without any signature, the note says: “You should know that you are not to meddle in politics and that reelection in the first ballot is guaranteed. The next few days will be decisive. If you want to become a saint, you just have to keep doing what you are doing… Just do your job and don’t get in the way of those who truly want to work for this state. Next time there will be no warning… The worst can happen to you and to the other brothers and sisters who follow you on your suicidal path. You should remember that for much less some religious people were murdered.” 

 

D. Antonio Possamai was sued for slander at the request of governor Ivo Cassol after posting the poster in public areas. On August 25, 2006, judge Sandra Maria Nascimento de Souza ruled that the bishop should collect all the posters or else pay a fine of R$     5,000.00/day. The legal department of the Diocese took all the legal measures and contested her decision on August 28. The Public Prosecutor’s Office for Electoral Affairs issued its opinion on the lawsuit and requested that it be considered ungrounded, as well as the fine to be applied. The court that issued the decision has not replied so far.

 

The Church of Rondônia, faithful to the project of Jesus Christ, has been playing its prophetic role of exposing and denouncing everything that diminishes Life. Therefore, the Diocese of Ji-Paraná, through Dom Antonio Possamai, in making the decision to denounce acts of corruption and corrupt individuals working in public agencies, makes it clear that it is committed to the Truth, to Justice and to the Common Good.

 

We reject the threats against the life of D.Antonio Possamai and of the other citizens of the Diocese and we insist that the criminals involved should be investigated and punished promptly. Impunity should not prevail for those who sow death, violence and corruption in the public service.

 

According to our Christian values, politics should be a tool to serve the people and meet their demands for a decent life. D. Antonio Possamai and the other citizens of the Diocese of Ji-Paraná only exercised their fundamental rights when they decided to report crimes being committed in Rondônia and they did this based on the Gospel and in behalf of all Christians and honest citizens.

 

Therefore, we support them and will fight to defend their lives, Ethics and the Truth in our country.

 

Brasília, September 6, 2006

Cimi – Indianist Missionary Council

www.cimi.org.br