Indigenous meeting in MS ends amid reports of threats

Documentary filmmakers covering the assembly were ambushed

The indigenous leaders of the Guarani Kaiowá ethnic group concluded this Sunday (26) a meeting in Mato Grosso do Sul to discuss the different types of problems experienced in the villages in areas such as health, education and also issues related to land demarcation and to the violence practiced by the farmers. against the population.

In the midst of the debates, which address the numerous cases of violence committed against indigenous populations, two non-indigenous documentary makers, who participated in the meeting and are preparing a film on the situation of the Guarani, experienced first-hand the violence which, according to Articulation of the Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (Apib), has long afflicted the indigenous populations of the region.

The 10 largest indigenous peoples of Brazil

Organized by Aty Guasu, the meeting which began on the 21st produced a document with the requests that will be presented to the authorities. In this edition the main requests focus on the approval of land and demarcations.

Aty Guasu

“Aty Guasu is an organization that has existed since 1970. It is the great assembly of the Guarani Kaiowá and Guarani Nhandeva people of which my great-grandparents and my grandparents were part. We grew up in the movement, fighting every day for our territories,” the entity’s communicator, Sally Ñhandeva, also a member of Apib, explained to Agência Brasil.

Sally explains that the aim of the assembly is mainly focused on discussing what is missing in the villages. “There is also talk of territorial delimitation. We Guarani Kaiowá are the people who suffer the most and fight the most for our territory. We therefore also denounce the lack of protection in our state. We are a people who resist; a people who will always be ready to die for our land. This is why we are holding this assembly: to put our requests on paper and hand them over to the authorities,” she added.

Assaults and threats

The Canadian journalist Renaud Philippe, 39, and his wife, the Brazilian anthropologist Ana Carolina Mira Porto, 38, have been preparing a photo documentary for two years on the struggle of the Kaiowá and Guarani for the demarcation of the lands and on the reality of the camps, of territories and reconquests.

After participating in the assembly promoted by Aty Guasu, they decided to abandon the indigenous event and go to a village in Iguatemi where they intended to film, after hearing the news of the disappearance of two indigenous people.

The two natives were subsequently found but, for security reasons, their names were not released. In a statement, Apib reported that they were injured and that the suspicion is that they were kidnapped by farmers from the region, considering that it is a conflict zone.

During the trip to the village, to investigate the case, the documentary couple were accompanied by a resident of the community, identified as Joel, and forestry engineer Renato Farac Galata, 41, whom they met at the indigenous assembly.

On the way, they met a team from the Department of Border Operations, Military Police (PM), who approached them. In testimony, Galata said police said they were simply patrolling the region, without mentioning anything of concern to the three.

On their way back from the village they came across a barrier of cars blocking the road. According to Ana, there were dozens of men near the vehicles, many of them hooded and carrying weapons on display. The anthropologist reported that one of the men approached the car and warned them to leave the area because “it would be dangerous” there.

Unable to continue, Ana, Philippe and Galata returned. According to the Canadian journalist’s version, some unknown persons followed them and, once they reached them, made them get out of the car and make them lie on the ground. Then he received several kicks in the back and ribs, and one of the attackers cut a lock of his hair with a knife, threatening to do the same to Ana.

Ana, Philippe and Galata say they were threatened with death if they did not leave the region on the same day. Once released, the three met a team from the Center for the Defense of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights, of the state Office of the Public Defender, who was carrying out an inspection near the site.

The robbery report shows that the passports of Ana and Philippe were seized, as well as bank cards, an identification card of an international journalist, two cameras and photographic lenses, batteries, two mobile phones, a bag and other objects.

The case of Ana, Philippe and Galata is monitored by the Public Defense Offices of the Union (DPU) and Mato Grosso do Sul (DPE-MS). Despite having attended to the victims and filed a police report, the Civil Police left the investigation of the case to the Federal Police, as the incident occurred in the context of a land dispute involving indigenous communities and as a result of this conflict.

Protection

In a statement, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI) said it deeply regrets and repudiates the attack on the three professionals who were producing a documentary on the population of the Guarani Kaiowá ethnic group. The ministry said it requested support from the National Force as soon as it was informed of the attack.

“Minister Sonia Guajajara regrets that this is not an isolated case. Among the most well-known recent cases, we note the murder of the Brazilian indigenous Bruno Pereira and the British journalist Dom Phillips, who were documenting the situation of deforestation and invasions of indigenous territories”, we read in the text informing that other government bodies will be activated to ensure the safety of professionals.

The minister adds that it is important to curb violence against all people, but underlines that there is a “clear and almost daily attempt” to intimidate the country’s indigenous communities, suppressing the rights of these people.

Editing: Camila Maciel

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Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.