News-Letter Nr. 484

Tense Climate Lingers on in Pau Brazil

A new conflict took place in the wee hours of Wednesday, the 24th, in Pau Brazil, south tip of the state of Bahia. The Pataxó Hã-Hã-Hãe who reoccupied the farm allegedly owned by the ex-mayor of Pau Brazil, Durval Santana, invader of the Caramuru Catarina Paraguassu indigenous land , were shot at by masked gunmen for the second time. At least five houses have been set on fire by this group already in an attempt to intimidate the Pataxó and destroy any built facilities that can be used by the indigenous people. After repeated pleas, the ministry of Justice sent a group of Federal Police officers to the site of the conflicts.

On Wednesday, the 23rd, the district attorney of Ilhéus, Márcio Torres, visited the indigenous area to talk to the indigenous people and the farmers and was threatened by the latter, who said they would continue to expel the indigenous people from the area and use their guns against them if Funai doesn't solve the problem. The farmers made a proposal to remain in the land for 90 days, which is the deadline for the official indigenous agency to complete a survey of the area. Considering the climate of violence that has prevailed in the area in the last few days, the proposal seems unfeasible. The district attorney instructed the Federal Police to hold an inquiry to find out why the violent incidents took place and press charges against those responsible for this week's violence.

The farmers of Pau Brazil do not accept the demarcation of the Caramuru Catarina Paraguassu indigenous area because more than 30 years ago they received title deeds to lands inside it illegaly granted by the government of the State. In 1982 Funai filed an Action to Declare Title Deeds Null and Void, but the Supreme Federal Court (STF) is yet to issue a final decision on the matter. It is a 54,100-hectare area, 30 % of which have been occupied by the indigenous people in reoccupation actions. The Pataxó Hã-Hã-Hãe blame the Judiciary Branch and Funai for the violence they have been suffering. They blame Funai because some of the farmers already recognize the rights of the indigenous people to the land and are willing to leave the area after they are duly indemnified. Funai had begun to survey the area and to indemnify farmers for improvements, but it suspended the payments without any explanations, giving rise to a feeling of insecurity and created the conflict. According to some indigenous leaders, the attacks of this week were sponsored by large landowners with the support of the mayor of Pau Brazil, José Augusto dos Santos Filho (known as Zé de Dezinho), whose antiindigenous posture is well known.

In Brasília, an indigenous commission that has been trying to negotiate with the federal administration talked to the president of Funai, Glênio Alvarez, but was not received by a key advisor to the ministry of Justice, Sérgio Leitão. Cimi blames the conflicts on the federal administration, which has been slow to tackle the indigenous issue in the south region of the state of Bahia and has been neglectful of its duties in this connection.

Ceremony to Pay Homage to D. Pedro Casaldáliga is Held in the Federal District

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Taguatinga, Federal District, became small for the large number of people who attended a ceremony in it to pay homage to the bishop of São Félix do Araguaia, d. Pedro Casaldáliga. In the evening of Tuesday, the 23rd, Casaldáliga was awared the title of honorary citizen of Brasília, as proposed by district representative Paulo Tadeu (Workers' Party - PT - Federal District). Members of the Landless Movement, indigenous people, blacks, pastoral agents, human rights militants, and many politicians attended the ceremony to pay homage to the bishop, who was persecuted in the days of the military dictatorship for his commitment to the cause of the excluded and for his love for Amerindia. The title coincided with the 30th anniversary of d. Pedro's episcopal consecration. Born in Balsanery, Barcelona, d. Pedro Casaldáliga, 73, is a Claretian missionary. He has been living in Brazil for more than 30 years, during which he has devoted himself fully to his Prelacy and to the poor.

Brasília, 25 October 2001.
Indianist Missionary Council - Cimi

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