News-Letter Nr. 448
Indigenous Committee Critizises Proposed Statute Of Indigenous Peoples
A bill that will be proposed by representative Luciano Pizzato (Liberal Front Party - state of Paraná), referred to as "Amended Version of Bill n. 2,057/91" (Statute of Indigenous Peoples), was criticized by the Indigenous Committee charged with furthering the decisions made at the Conference of Indigenous Peoples held in Santa Cruz de Cabrália, state of Bahia, in April 2000. The Committee held a meeting in Brasília this week to discuss matters related to the Indigenous Assembly that will be held in April and evaluate the bill of the Statute. For indigenous people, the amended bill proposed by representative Pizzato is not in tune with the claims of indigenous communities and peoples, although he says that it "consolidates the proposals made by indigenous communities".
This Thursday they will go to the National Congress to give a letter to congresspersons stating their firm position against the amended bill proposed by the government. In the letter, they stress their dissatisfaction and say that of all proposals submitted by indigenous peoples, only a few less important ones were included in the bill. According to them, the bill as proposed constitutes a serious threat to indigenous communities, since it allows natural resources to be exploited in indigenous areas, particularly minerals, water resources and timber.
"If the bill is passed as proposed, the invasion and destruction of our lands and the extermination of our people will continue as in the last 500 years." In the final part of the document, they ask the representatives to take into account the will of indigenous people before analyzing the contents of the bill. The Committee promised to submit all the claims of indigenous peoples by March in the form of another bill.
Chairman Of Human Rights Committee Hears Reports Of Sexual Abuse Of Yanomami Women
Federal representative Marcos Rolim (Workers' Party - state of Rio Grande do Sul), chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Brazilian House of Representatives, was very impressed with reports provided by Yanomami women about sexual abuse committed by Army soldiers. Rolim said that he could see how the military slowly seduce the indigenous women and then have sexual intercourse with them. He said he will draft a detailed report about his visit to the Yanomami area and will submit it to the Committee and to president Fernando Henrique Cardoso indicating, among other issues, how harmful it would be to set up military facilities close to the area. The Army has plans to deploy another border platoon inside the Yanomami area. It would be the fourth platoon to be deployed inside the same territory. Marcos Rolim was in the state of Roraima on February 8 and 9, where he attended a Tuxaua assembly in the Pium village, 50 km from Boa Vista, the capital, and visited a Yanomami village called Surucucu, in the east region of the state, where he had an opportunity to talk to Yanomami women.
Settlers Hinder FUNAI's Activities In Santa Catarina
The climate in Chapecó, state of Santa Catarina, is tense. Settlers in the locality of Sede Trentin prevented a Working Group (GT) set up by Funai from starting a survey of improvements made by invaders of the Toldo Chimbangue II indigenous area in it. TheKaingang reacted and blocked the road that leads to the locality, but they suspended theaction one hour later in compliance with a preliminary order issued by a federal court. Never before had a court been so swift to issue a decision about an indigenous issue. Now an impasse has been reached. The settlers continue to deny any access to the area. The Kaingang got in touch with Public Prosecution Office to say that if the GT is not allowed to carry out its activities they will block the road for as long as it is necessary, enhancing the tension.
Brasília, 15 February 2001.Indianist Missionary Council - Cimi
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