Cardoso Does Not Want to Demarcate Indigenous Areas
10/9/97
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Headline: Cardoso Does Not Want to Demarcate Indigenous Areas
Source: Indianist Missionary Council - Cimi
Date: 10/9/97
Newsletter n. 281
FERNANDO HENRIQUE CARDOSO DOES NOT WANT TO DEMARCATE INDIGENOUS AREAS
The words of Pope John Paul II still bother the Brazilian
Government. The last time the Pope referred to social problems in
Brazil he said indigenous peoples should be treated with respect.
However, the Fernando Henrique Cardoso administration does not seem to
be inclined in any way to treat indigenous populations with the
respect they deserve. In the Master Budget of the Union for 1998
submitted to the National Congress by the Executive Branch, the funds
allocated to the National Indian Foundation (Funai) were reduced by
30% in relation to 1997. With regard to the funds allocated to the
demarcation of indigenous areas, there was a cut of 78%. The R$ 13.569
million approved in 1997 were reduced to R$ 3 million for 1998. So
far, only 297 indigenous areas have been demarcated (53%) , while 259
(43%) are yet to be demarcated.
This time, the Pope did not speak in private with any indigenous
leader. In 1980, he met Guarani Indian Marcal Tupa'y, who was
murdered three years later. In the World Meeting of Families, he
received a Terena child and heard ten Indians from three indigenous
peoples of Mato Grosso do Sul singing in moments of celebration. The
Indians would have a lot to tell the Pope; however, since that was
impossible, the Pope's discourse in support of the indigenous culture
in an unequal country such as Brazil came as a remarkable
encouragement. In a very intelligent way, the Pope described
indigenous populations as fundamental elements in the formation of the
Brazilian family. Respect for indigenous peoples, however, can only be
ensured after their territories are duly demarcated and protected.
Cimi believes that the nondemarcation of indigenous areas is the main
source of violence against indigenous peoples, as it favors invasions
and more conflicts, with the aggravating circumstance that nothing is
done in relation to crimes against Indians, as impunity strongly
prevails.
THE MILITARY BRING SUIT AGAINST YANOMAMI AREA
Confamil, the Confederation of Members and Beneficiaries of the
Armed Forces, which represents retired members of the Armed Forces,
filed a suit at the Supreme Federal Court (STF) against the creation
of the Yanomami area, arguing that such act is unconstitutional. The
9.6- million-hectare area was demarcated in 1992 after the UN
Conference on Environment. The military quote article 49 of the
Constitution, according to which only the National Congress can
approve the alienation and concession of public areas comprising more
than 2,000 hectares. Minister Marco Aurelio de Mello is the rapporteur
of the suit, but the court has not issued an opinion on it so far. The
information was published this week in the Gazeta Mercantil newspaper.
The president of Funai, Sullivan Silvestre, has no doubts that there
is a confusion between the ``concession of public areas'' and the
``demarcation of indigenous areas'', for which special procedures are
contemplated in the law. The military fear that the approval of the
Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, of the United
Nations, will ensure ``separatist rights'' to indigenous peoples,
namely, their cultural, economic and political self-determination.
They have always feared the formation of indigenous states in Brazil.
Confamil goes even further: showing prejudice toward the Yanomami, it
says they are not Indians, but rather ``a mock nation formed through
the gathering of various tribes with the specific purpose of
justifying the creation of a gigantic reservation''.
Brasilia, 9 October 1997
Indianist Missionary Council - Cimi