AMERICA/BRAZIL - "How many people have to die before they have justice?", since 1983 at least 50 indigenous leaders have been killed

Campo Grande (Agenzia Fides) - "How many people have to die before reaching the conclusion that we need to do something concrete for peace, respect for human rights and justice for all?". The question is posed by His Exc. Mgr. Dimas Lara Barbosa, Archbishop of Campo Grande, who together with the Bishops of the Regional area Centro-Oeste in Brazil, sent a letter to the authorities denouncing the impunity of the perpetrators of the murders of the indigenous in the area.
"The indigenous movement and its allies will continue to monitor the progress of the process, hoping that justice arrives on time and in an exemplary way to punish the perpetrators of the barbaric crime" concludes the letter sent to Fides, which was published by CIMI (Indigenous Missionary Council) as a reflection of the latest tragic events that still await response.
On Saturday, August 29, Simeone Vilhalva was killed during clashes with farmers in the village Antônio João due to the possession of a livestock. Nothing is known about the perpetrators and the circumstances have never been clarified. According to the president of the City Council of Indigenous Rights, Sander Barbosa, Simeone is the new symbol of the indigenous struggle for justice, because since 1983 at least 50 indigenous leaders have already lost their lives because of conflicts over land.
Another striking example was the murder of the missionary Vicente Cañas, in May 1987. After nearly 30 years, a new panel should be set up in the coming months, as decided by the Federal Court of the 1st Region.
"In the current case regarding Simeone, will the State once again be responsible for this impunity?" asks the letter published by CIMI, which continues: "To avoid this, Brazilian society asks for immediate investigation and punishment of the culprits". In addition to the clarification and punishment for those responsible, the various religious and social groups call for the acceleration in the process of land demarcation in the area, and to defend bill PEC 71 which provides compensation for the areas stolen from the indigenous. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 16/09/2015)

Share: