Gerardo E. Martínez-Solanas
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Predatory practices deplete Amazonian forests and hurt natives - 2008/08/25 13:59
President Lula da Silva, of Brasil, just signed a Decree to station troops permanently on all designated Indigenous Territories on the Amazonian border areas of this vast country. Contrary to the expectations that such a move would be to protect the indigenous peoples from predatory settlers, the Brazilian Armed Forces are more concerned about a perceived “foreign meddlings” in these border region conflicts and their assessment that national sovereignty might be at risk.
According to Catarina Vianna, a member of Makunaima Grita --a Brazilian group dedicated to helping the indigenous people at Raposo Serra do Sol--, the Brazilian Military “are against the demarcation of continuous indigenous lands near the border because they want to control what happens, and they're afraid that what they call «foreign interests» will use the Indians to then exploit the Amazon.”.
The practically unrestricted exploitation of the Amazon basin is destroying the largest forest remaining on Earth, its ecological balance and the basic habitat for people living in areas that were theirs for millennia. Brazilian authorities proclaim a “victory” in their so called “forest conservation efforts” because instead of destroying 27,379 sq. kilometers of forest at the peak of the deforestation disaster in 2004 (an area the size of El Salvador and Puerto Rico together), they expect a loss of “only” 12,000 sq. kilometers this year (just 50% larger than Puerto Rico). But even if we lack any concern for this natural treasure as our heritage for all of humanity, we certainly must be ready to oppose the abuse and human rights violations the Amazonian people suffer from the predatory practices of human ambitions and shadowy economic interests.
After many decades of abuse and struggle for recognition, over 18 thousand indigenous Makuxi, Wapixana, Ingariko, Taukepang, and Patamona peoples were given 1.7 million hectares and non-indigenous peoples were compensated and compelled to leave the area in 2005. The indigenous populations gained their rights to their ancestral lands in Brazil's northern Roraima state, with the creation of a new Indigenous Territory, Raposa Serra do Sol, covering a large swath of the Amazon Rainforest on the border with Guyana.
However, this resolution did not end the long struggle to have their territorial rights recognized. The indigenous peoples of Raposa are facing instead a fierce opposition from entrenched economic interests in Roraima., such as seven wealthy rice farmers who have refused to leave the region, throwing the reserve into chaos. These large-scale farmers –known as fazendeiros– have rejected compensation and relocation, despite having arrived in the area less than 15 years ago.
Such conflict of interests would be understandable if it followed the course of justice with due respect for law and order and if it did not entail extreme abuses against the indigenous people. In April, an indigenous leader was attacked when a bomb was thrown at his house. In May, ten Macuxi --including six children-- were attacked and shot by armed men working for rice farmer and local mayor Paulo Cesar Quartiero. He was detained by police and later released, despite the discovery of a large weapons cache on his property.
If such cruelty acts were not enough, justice is being trampled in the Courts and the government apparatus. With the support of the Roraima state government, the farmers and state Governor José de Anchieta have appealed to Brazil's Supreme Court to break up the Raposa Territory and free up large segments of land to be used for further exploitation.
In addition, indigenous people across the Amazon have persistently denounced to Amnesty International (AI) violations committed by soldiers who work indigenous areas on counts of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and intimidation. Tim Cahill, a researcher on Brazil with AI explains that: "There seems to be a clear contradiction in the sense that indigenous areas are meant to limit the access into those areas to guarantee their safety and protection. Yet when the Army goes in there, time and time again we see that their rights are violated."
But the real issue is the face-off between indigenous rights and the interests of big business in Brazil, and big agrobusiness in particular. The real issue is persistent abuse and constant human rights violations. "The 1988 Constitution allows indigenous people the process to set out and identify their ancestral lands," said Cahill. "There's a real fear that this will set back cases across the country of indigenous peoples who continue to fight for the rights to their land, and who, through this process, continue to seek the provision of their basic human rights and cultural rights."
The real issue is dramatically illustrated by this video of the May attack on Macuxi Indians in Raposa Serra do Sol. Viewer discretion is advised because of extreme violence:
--> Dramatic video shows attack on Indian village
Gunmen hired by these predatory farmers regularly attack the Indians. The state government has petitioned Brazil’s Supreme Court asking it to let these farmers remain on Indian land. On August 27th, the Brazilian Supreme Court will rule on a case that could have far reaching effects on the Amazon and the thousands of indigenous people who live there.
To help the peoples of Raposa Serra do Sol maintain their current territory, please sign this petition, which will be sent to the Supreme Court Justices a week before the ruling is expected.
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