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The indigenous peoples of Brazil have one of the most tragic histories of any of the world's peoples. Since the arrival of the first European invaders 500 years ago, they have seen their lands stolen, their traditions destroyed and their people murdered. More than 80 indigenous cultures have been wiped out in the Amazon since the beginning of this century.

Only recently has real hope appeared for their future. In 1988, in its new democratic constitution, the Brazilian state finally agreed to recognize the rights of its indigenous peoples. 'Decree 22/91' guaranteed Brazilian Indians' permanent rights to lands traditionally occupied by them, and required that all these lands be 'demarcated' by 1993. Indians living in demarcated areas have the right to live, free from outside interference, according to their own customs and laws.

Demarcation is not only a question of land rights, it is also one of the best ways to protect the Amazon rainforests. The Indians have the skills, the knowledge and the incentive to preserve the forests they have relied on for their livelihoods for thousands of years.

The 1993 deadline was not met, and 340 of the total of 545 areas identified as Indian lands still await demarcation. But President Cardoso of Brazil publicly committed himself to demarcation, and indigenous groups hoped that the process would be completed, even if it was slower than promised.

But just as events were moving in their direction, a bombshell has hit Brazil's indigenous peoples.

Decree 22 is being challenged as unconstitutional in Brazil's Supreme Court. President Cardoso, under pressure from powerful forest profiteers and members of his own government, has replaced it with a new law - Decree 1775 - which will work in favour of the very people who profit from the destruction of the forests.

Loggers, ranchers, miners and other business interests in Brazil have long been opposed to demarcation, and have continued to illegally invade and occupy Indian lands. The present Supreme Court case has been brought by an agribusiness firm occupying the land of the Guarani Indians. The company claims that Decree 22 was unconstitutional because it did not give 'private interests' the right to contest any proposed demarcation.

Decree 1775 means that those who profit from forest destruction will be able to mount legal challenges for ownership of Indian territory.

Decree 1775 could be the biggest single disaster to hit Brazil's indigenous peoples for decades. All Indian lands - even those already demarcated - are now at risk.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Indigenous groups in Brazil are appealing for international pressure to be put on their government, to safeguard their forests and traditional lands.

Please send a message to President Cardoso, sending a copy to the Minister of Justice. Urge the President to:

Immediately revoke Decree 1775, and honour his constitutional commitment to demarcation.

Continue the demarcation process, and complete all demarcations by the end of his own Presidential term in 1998.

Do whatever is necessary to protect Indian lands from invaders, and immediately expel those illegally occupying Indian lands.

Exmo. Sr. Pres. Fernando Henrique Cardoso l Presidencia da Republica Palacio do Planalto l Praca dos tres poderes l 70150-900 l Brasilia, DF BRASIL Fax: (55-6) 122 67566 l e-mail: pr@crdf.rnp.br

Min. da Justica Nelson Jobim l Esplanada dos Ministerios l Bloco T l 70160-900 l Brasilia, DF BRASIL Fax: (55-6) 12242448 l e-mail: njobim@ax.apc.org

SAMPLE LETTER TO PRESIDENT CARDOSO

Your Excellency,

I am writing to express my concern about the demarcation of indigenous lands in Brazil, following your recent signing of Decree 1775.

This new Decree, by allowing for challenges to demarcations, could represent the biggest single threat to Brazil's indigenous peoples, and their forest homes, for decades. Brazil's indigenous peoples are appealing for international help to protect their traditional lands.

I urge you to immediately revoke Decree 1775, and to honour your constitutional commitment to demarcation.

I know that you have publicly committed yourself to the demarcation process. I wish to express the strongest support for this commitment, and I very much hope that you will endeavor to complete the process by the end of your Presidential term in 1998.

At this same time, I urge you to take whatever steps are necessary to protect all identified and demarcated indigenous lands from invaders, and to expel any loggers, miners or ranchers who are illegally occupying indigenous lands at the present time.

By safeguarding the future of Brazil's indigenous people and their lands, you will be making a historic contribution to protecting cultural diversity, human rights and the natural environment, things which are of value not only to Brazil but to the whole world. In doing so, you will have the support of concerned people everywhere.

Sincerely,

Copyright © 1996. The Light Party.