News-Letter Nr. 444
Indigenous Communities Represented In The World Social Forum
Indigenous community leaders Matalawê Pataxó and Glória Kaingang have confirmed their presence at the World Social Forum on 26 January to testify to the struggle of the indigenous communities against the neoliberal influence on the socio-economic scenario. The Forum is to be held at the Center of Events of the Pontifical Catholic University (PUC) in Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul State) on 25-30 January. The organizers estimate that about two and a half thousand people will attend the various lectures, workshops and reports to be delivered at the Forum.
An Indian campsite is being set up in "Harmony Park" near the place where the Forum will take place, to receive 500 Brazilian and foreign representatives of indigenous communities who will attend the "Tamoios Conference", a name chosen to pay homage to the first instance of indigenous resistance in Brazil. The meeting is to debate the alternatives to globalization, the future and survival of indigenous people, and the question of land as a right of the original occupants.
The organization of the World Social Forum was approved during the Conference of Geneva held on 22-25 June last year, which was attended by 600 representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and social movements. The aim of the World Social Forum is to focus on formulating alternatives and to exchange experiences that lend priority to human development and overcoming the domination of the market in each country and in international relations. The Forum is to be held every year in parallel with the World Economic Forum that takes place in Davos, Switzerland, in late January. The role of the Economic Forum, which is sponsored by over one thousand multinational companies, is to defend neoliberal policies throughout the world.
The indigenous peoples of the world, situated as they are in that segment of society that is excluded from the policy of liberal globalization, bear the experience of the struggle of ethnically differentiated communities who survive the attempts to destroy the communal solidarity of their economic models. This contribution to the Social Forum is expected to stimulate the world reaction against the neoliberal economic model.
Truká Indians Are Being Intimidated and Threatened
Relatives of Nilson Félix and José de Nô Félix, the Truká Indians kidnapped and murdered by the Military Police (MP) of the town of Cabrobó (PE) on 4 January, have denounced that they are being pressured and intimidated by policemen and feel that they are risking their lives if they circulate in the town. The Indians are afraid of being attacked. The community is revolted and plans a public demonstration on 4 February after the mass to commemorate the one-month anniversary of the assassination. They want to protest against the crime, demand safety for the community, and ask that those responsible for the crime be punished. No policeman has been identified and arrested for the crime.
José de Nô Félix, 39, was taking his son Nilson Félix, 16, to the hospital after being shot in a police operation that took place hours earlier and resulted in the death of two military policemen. The police intercepted the car that was transporting the Indians. Two days later the bodies were found decapitated and burned. The Trukás denounce that on the same day the police also invaded the village looking for Nilson's younger brother, Nelson Félix, 14, to kill him.
In a letter addressed to the public, the Indians claim that they are constantly discriminated against and accused of being thieves, drug-dealers and criminals by the military police of the region, which is known as the "Marijuana Polygon". The illegal invasions of the Truká village by the Military Police, and the daily violence, have often been denounced to the Federal Department of Justice and the authorities of the State of Pernambuco. Up to now, no measures have been taken, creating a delicate and tense atmosphere in the region, with considerable risk of an imminent conflict.
Brasília, 18 January 2001.Indianist Missionary Council - Cimi
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