INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION

FOR DEMARCATION OF THE LANDS OF THE TUPINIKIM AND GUARANI INDIANS IN BRAZIL

 

            Today, hundreds of indigenous people from the seven Tupinikim and Guarani communities in the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil, occupied the harbor Portocel, from where the cellulose of the company Aracruz Celulose is being exported to Europe, the USA and Asia. They are protesting together with several solidarity groups in Brazil and abroad to ask the Brazilian government once and for all to fulfill its constitutional duty and demarcate the traditional lands of the Tupinikim and Guarani indigenous peoples: 11.009 hectares invaded by Aracruz Cellulose S/A, a major paper company.

 

In February 2006, Minister of Justice Márcio Thomaz Bastos promised during a public meeting in the State Parliament of Espirito Santo – in the presence of indigenous peoples, parliamentarians, and other authorities – to issue the Act of Demarcation before August 2006 and to ratify the area before the end of the year.  On September 12 2006, a report in favor of demarcation was submitted by the National Indian Foundation to the Minister of Justice.  Since then, it has been in his hands, awaiting a decision – legally, the decision should be made by today, December 12, 2006. 

 

The Commission of Tupinikim and Guarani Chiefs and Leaders argues that the agreed-upon deadlines have not been fulfilled by the government, and have called for a day of solidarity.

The delay has allowed Aracruz Cellulose to adopt public actions against the indigenous communities, among them a strongly defamatory campaign, encouraging prejudice and racial hatred. 

 

Today, solidarity groups in Germany, Norway, the Netherlands and the United States are coordinating demonstrations, especially at Brazilian Embassies and Consulates, in solidarity with the protests led by the Tupinikim and Guarani.

 

Please take a moment to write a brief letter to the Minister of Justice, asking him to recognize the rights of the Tupinikim and Guarani by demarcating their ancestral homeland: [email protected].

 

 

For more information: [email protected]

 

 

December 12, 2006

Minister of Justice Márcio Thomaz Bastos
Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bloco T, Ministério da Justiça, 4º. Andar
CEP 70064.900- Brasília- DF
Brasil
Fax +55 61 3224 4784 or 32241936
e-mail:  [email protected]
cc: President Luíz Inácio Lula da Silva: [email protected]

Dear Mr. Minister,

Through this letter, we would like to express our support of the Tupinikim and Guarani indigenous peoples of Espírito Santo in their fight to demarcate their land.

 

On the 12th of September 2006, FUNAI sent reports on two areas (“Tupiniquim” and “Comboios”), which together form the ancestral homelands of the Tupinikim and Guarani, to the Minister of Justice in order to issue two new demarcation acts.  These acts would correct errors committed by a previous Minister of Justice, and add 11,009 hectares to their area, thus fully recognizing the rights of the  Tupinikim and Guarani to their ancestral lands.

 

Any additional delays, such as requesting further studies, would exacerbate the current tense situation in the area.  All past studies of the area have affirmed the rights of the Tupinikim and Guarani. We are concerned about the present situation in the region, because Aracruz Celulose is conducting a defamation campaign against the indigenous communities, inflaming racial stereotypes and prejudice.

 

We understand that  during a public meeting in the State Parliament of Espírito Santo on February 9, 2006, both you and the President of FUNAI committed to demarcating the Tupinikim/Guarani lands as soon as possible, without exceeding the established legal time limits.

We have no doubts about the rights of the Tupinikim and Guarani, and are confident that you will do your utmost to uphold the Federal Constitution and defend the rights of indigenous peoples set by international standards such as Convention 169 of the ILO, which has been ratified by Brazil.

We reiterate our total support to the Tupinikim and Guarani cause in Espírito Santo.

 

Sincerely,

 

Name: