The violence escalation into indigenous territories during Covid-19 pandemic will be on the center of the complaints.

This Thursday, July 1st, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) receives complaints from indigenous organizations and leaders representing the Munduruku, Yanomami and Guajajara peoples, about the worsening of violence in their territories during the period of Covid-19 pandemic. The action is part of the 180th Session of the Commission and meets the request of the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (Apib) in conjunction with the Coordination of Indigenous Peoples of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB), Association of Munduruku Wakoborũn Women and Hutukara Association, in addition to other partners.

“The escalation of violence foreshadows even more tragic results, and that is why it is essential this Commission takes all appropriate measures.”, highlights an excerpt from the communiqué sent to the IACHR to request the hearing that takes place today (1). Access the document presented to the IACHR here.

On June 18, Brazilian Constitutional Court unanimously determined the protection of the Munduruku and Yanomami peoples to prevent further massacres in the territories. The court ruled on the request made by the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (Apib) for the urgent removal of invaders, especially from Indigenous Lands (TIs) Munduruku, in Pará, and Yanomami, in Roraima, and to guaranteeing the physical integrity of the threatened people in these locations.

Invasions into indigenous territories increased during the covid-19 pandemic, and are aggravating violence against communities and leaders, causing outbreaks of diseases such as malaria, in addition to the new coronavirus, and intensifying environmental degradation. Apib’s request to the STF for the protection of the territories was made within the scope of 709 Action for Non-Compliance with Fundamental Precept (ADPF). Access the full request here.

Session

The hearing with the IACHR to denounce the violence committed against indigenous peoples is scheduled to start at 12:00 pm (Brasilia time) and will be broadcast online on the commission’s social networks. During the 180th Session of the commission, several complaints will be made about violations of rights committed in Brazil during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The hearing that highlights the context of indigenous peoples counts on the participation of the legal coordinator of Apib, Eloy Terena, the vice president of the Federation of Indigenous Peoples of Pará (Fepipa), Alessandra Munduruku, the vice president of the Hutukara association, Dario Yanomami, the coordinator of the Association Wakoborũn Leusa Munduruku and indigenous leader Julius Ye’kwana.