A Victory for Guarani community of Sucuriy!
8/19/97
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Headline: A Victory for Guarani community of Sucuriy!
Source: CIMI-MS
Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul
Date: 8/19/97
ACCORD GIVES HOPE
Guarani Kaiowa of Sucuri'y (Maracaju, MS)
August 19, 1997 -
After nine months of struggle, eviction, return, and constant threats of
judicial eviction, on August 8th, the Guarani Kaiowa community of Sucuri'y
closed a provisional agreement that permits it to stay on its lands until
trial of the issue in court.
In the agreement the Guarani Kaiowa will retain nearly 65 hectares, part
of the area recognized as indigenous land. Among these are two hectares
which are dammed for raising fish, as well as an ancient burial ground, and
conditions to start the process of internal re-grouping.
At first glance, the agreement might not seem to be a good one for the
indigenous people, but in the circumstances, it seems to have been the best
alternative. The agreement is provisional, and like other Guarani Kaiowa
communities in similar situations, the community has made it clear that
they will not leave the land they consider theirs. They have created a
point of reference for the definitive return to and total occupation of the
area, already recognized by the Brazilian government as immemorially
indigenous.
At CIMI MS we see the accord as one more a victory in the Guarani Kaiowa
people's hard fight for better living conditions. With their organization
and manifested determination, with the support of all those in solidarity
with the cause, this community has dampened the fury of those who took
control of the land, and their allies: the rancher, the mayor of Maracaju,
MS, and the rancher's union of the municipality. All wanted distance from
the Guarani. They are now obligated to accept them. The indigenous people
are, for now, firmly positioned in the middle of the ranches and near the
city, which is only 3 kilometers away.
More important still: the negotiations were conducted with the Guarani
themselves. No one spoke for them. They had to be admitted and heard at a
hearing - a hearing that was presented on three occasions, in the Federal
Court of Campo Grande, with the federal judge of the second civil
jurisdiction presiding. Also on three occasions, the federal judge went
out to the area in conflict. It is true that, right at the first, they had
offered the community to return to the district of Aroeira, where they had
stayed until they reoccupied their land. When faced with the community's
negative response, they offered them another part of the area, property of
the city of Maracaju. The community again rejected the offer. Finally,
they had to accept that the Guarani Kaiowa would stay where they are, in
the heart of their traditional territory.
Another important aspect of the signed accord is that the eviction order
against the community, in effect for nearly five months, is suspended, and
the community will no longer be bothered by that threat. And so the accord
certainly permits possibilities for a new life and hope for the Guarani
Kaiowa of Sucuri'y. The city leaders of Maracaju, who from the first had
been against the community, will have to aid them in their subsistence.
Another result of the accord is that, if after expert judicial examination
determined in the indigenous area, the consequent decision of the judge is
ratified, thereby legally deeming the territory as indigenous land, the
Guarani Kaiowa will occupy the entire area under the protection of justice.
Finally, we believe that with support through the next six months while the
community builds a new life, the people of Sucuriy will follow their own
path. With the village reunified after being forced off their land for the
past ten years, they will have the strength to occupy the full extent of
the small piece of land which is now theirs.
We would like to thank all those who supported - and continue to support -
the Guarani Kaiowa of Mato Grosso do Sul.
In solidarity,
CIMI-MS
Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul