With the Sé Cathedral full, in the center of the capital of São Paulo, an act in honor of the indigenist Bruno Pereira and the British journalist Dom Phillips, killed in an ambush in Vale do Javari, in Amazonas, brought together representatives of different religions to ask for justice, democracy and respect for the rights of indigenous peoples.
During the event, it was read the manifesto signed by the organizations which calls on society to put an end to violence against traditional peoples and to demand the strengthening of inspection bodies and respect for indigenous territories.
“Honoring the memory of these human rights defenders requires continuing their blessed mission. Thus, we must report and denounce the violence imposed on these peoples, demand that the necessary measures be taken to protect them, and transform all beliefs and structures that give space to violence”, reads an excerpt from the manifesto.
In a message sent by video, the indigenous Beto Marubo, a member of the coordination of the Union of Indigenous Peoples of Vale do Javari (Univaja), called on society to reflect on the need that these deaths “have not been in vain”.
“We must not accept that people like these are victims in such a cruel way and think that this is a regional problem. I want to invite you to reflect on this and get out of our comfort zone and act so that the lives of Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips have been worth it”, declared Marubo.
Alessandra Sampaio, wife of journalist Dom Phillips, participated in the act and asked for cooperation with indigenous communities as a way of honoring the lives of the journalist and Bruno. “What we can actively do is get to know more about the Amazon, this wealth, this biodiversity. Only when you know you can you protect and fight for it”, he asked.
For the anthropologist Beatriz Matos, Bruno’s widow, the investigations carried out in order to clarify the crime are essential. “But I think justice is the guarantee of the rights and territories of indigenous peoples, the Javari Valley and all indigenous territories in the country”, she defended. She also highlighted that, even with the great repercussion of the crime, the climate in Vale do Javari is one of insecurity between indigenous people and indigenists.
The event also had the participation of indigenous artists and singer Daniela Mercury and singer Chico César. “I want to register here something that I consider fundamental, which is the rejection of the Temporal Framework, so that we can protect indigenous peoples and end this legal uncertainty. When they do not have their rights respected, every Brazilian is weakened”, said the singer from Bahia.
Increase in the workforce in Vale do Javari
In a meeting on Tuesday (12) with a delegation of Funai employees, the executive secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Antonio Ramirez Lorenzo, who participated in the meeting as interim minister of the portfolio, said that in the coming days more National Public Security Force must reach the Vale do Javari region.
The meeting was requested by the president of the Commission on Human Rights and Minorities (CDHM) of the Chamber of Deputies, Orlando Silva (PCdoB-SP). According to information released by the commission, at the meeting, Lorenzo also informed that there is a commitment to try to make a public tender for Funai possible in 2022.