Jesuit fights for Indian rights

Almost 18,000 Indians from four different ethnic groups in the Roraima region of Brazil are being forced to leave their reservation lands. Roberto Jaramillo Bernal SJ, Regional Superior of the Amazon Region, has launched an urgent appeal to defend them. Certain people with business interests in the land are trying to overturn the Presidential decree legitimising Indian reservations. Last week ten Indians were killed on their property by mercenaries, and a number of others were seriously wounded. Roberto asks for messages supporting the Indians to be sent to President Lula, to the Justice Minister, and to the members of the Supreme Federal Court. See below for details of the campaign.

“Our Land, Our Mother”

The following letter can be copied and pasted into emails addressed to the Brazilian president and to members of the Supreme Federal Tribunal in Brazil. The email addresses are supplied below the letter.

Dear Sir / Madam,

The indigenous communities of the Makuxi, Wapichana, Taurepang, Patamona and Ingarikó peoples are undergoing a time of affliction, with the possibility of a reduction of the indigenous land Raposa/Serra do Sol by the Federal Supreme Court, who approved a legal action suspending the removal of non-indigenous from the reserve.

We understand that the ratification of the legalization decree of the indigenous land Raposa/Serra do Sol is essential for the indigenous peoples of Roraima and of Brazil, since several national public interests are in agreement. However, if the decision of the Federal Supreme Court goes in favour of the invaders, a serious precedent would be set in Brazilian legislation. All native lands in Brazil, those already demarcated, legalization and registered, could be contested and revised.

In 2005, the Indigenous Land Raposa/Serra do Sol was legalized and registered, in accordance with the Federal Constitution of Brazil and international law, Convention 169 of OIT and the United Nations Organization declaration concerning Rights of Indigenous Peoples. All that remains is the removal of the invaders.

For this reason we request that the Federal Supreme court ratify the legalization decree of the indigenous land Raposa/Serra do Sol, removing the invaders and doing justice so long hoped for by the indigenous peoples in 34 years of struggle and suffering.

[signature of individuals and entities]

Mail to be sent to any or all of the following:

PRESIDÊNCIA DE LA REPÚBLICA:

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Fax: (61) 34112222
E-mail: [email protected]

STF – SUPREMO TRIBUNAL FEDERAL:

Presidente
Ministro GILMAR MENDES
Telefone: 32174175
Fax: (61) 32174189
E-mail: [email protected]

Relator
Ministro CARLOS BRITTO
Telefones: (61) 32174311 / 32174312 / 32174314 / 32174331
Fax: (61) 32174339
E-mail: [email protected]

MINISTRA ELLEN GRACIE
Telefone: (61) 32174221 / 32174242 / 32174241
Fax: (61)32174249
E-mail: [email protected]

MINISTRO CELSO DE MELLO
Telefone: (61) 32174073

MINISTRO MARCO AURÉLIO
Telefone: (61) 32174281
Fax: (61) 32174309
E-mail: [email protected]

MINISTRO CEZAR PELUSO
Telefone: (61) 32174191
Fax: (61) 32174219
E-mail: [email protected]

MINISTRO JOAQUIM BARBOSA
Telefone: 61-32174131
Fax: 61-32174159
E-mail: [email protected]

MINISTRO EROS GRAU
Telefone: 61-32174380
Fax: 61-32174399
E-mail: [email protected]

MINISTRO RICARDO LEWANDOWSKI
Telefone: 61-32174256
Fax: 61-32174279
E-mail: [email protected]

MINISTRA CÁRMEN LÚCIA
Telefone: 61-32174342
Fax: 61-32174355 / 61-32174369
E-mail: [email protected]

MINISTRO MENEZES DIREITO
Telefone: 61-32174102
Fax: 61-32174129
E-mail: [email protected]