Federal Police investigates violence against indigenous people in MS after elections
The Federal Police were called by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples to investigate attacks on Guarani and Kaiowá in Mato Grosso do Sul. Cases include arson, hit-and-runs and murder of an entire family.
Federal Police investigates attacks on Guarani and Kaiowá indigenous people in Mato Grosso do Sul
The Federal Police were called by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI) on Thursday (29) to investigate a series of attacks against Guarani and Kaiowá communities in Mato Grosso do Sul, recorded after the results of the municipal elections. According to brasildefato.com.br, the National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples (Funai) classified the reports as "extremely concerning", citing threats to life, security and physical integrity, as well as manifestations of discrimination and incitement to hatred.
"Given the gravity of the reports, the MPI called the Federal Police so that the facts may be investigated with speed and rigour", states a note from the federal government. The Ministry states it is acting through the Department for Mediation and Reconciliation of Indigenous Land Conflicts (Demed) to maintain dialogue with affected communities. The reports have been gathered by the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (Apib) and by the Aty Guasu Association.
Arson, poisoning and death
On Thursday morning (29), at around 6 a.m., the house of Ñandesy Roberta, 90 years old, was deliberately set on fire in the Jaguapiré village, in the municipality of Tacuru (MS). The elderly woman, a target of racism and accused of practising witchcraft, lost all the sacred instruments used in the rituals of her people, among them takua, xiru, mbaraka and mimby.
On Wednesday (28), a Tacuru City Council employee was suspended from duty after suggesting, in a WhatsApp message, the poisoning of water consumed by indigenous people from the Sassoró Village.
On Sunday (25), an entire family was murdered in Naviraí. On the same day, hit-and-runs in Coronel Sapucaia left one man dead.
Pressure from organisations and parliamentarians
Amnesty International Brazil and Greenpeace demanded an urgent response from the authorities in view of the reports in the state. In addition to the MPI, the Ministries of Human Rights and Citizenship (MDHC) and of Racial Equality (MIR) are working in a task force to gather reports of violence against indigenous peoples, quilombola communities and terreiro peoples, with the aim of identifying and holding accountable the perpetrators of the crimes.
Federal deputy Célia Xakriabá (Psol-MG) brought the matter to the Committee on Human Rights, Minorities and Racial Equality of the Chamber, where she also reported an arson attack on the territory of the Tikm'n people, known as Maxakali, in Minas Gerais. "These are indigenous peoples who face threats to their lives, their water and their territories. These reports need to be investigated, and the public authorities must act to guarantee protection to communities", stated Célia.
Apib also recorded threats to indigenous people in Avaí (SP), close to the Bauru region.
Source: Google News BR — Crime