On January 1 last year, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva became president of Brazil. He has previously been celebrated among the indigenous people of the country, but now the winds seem to have turned.
Because when thousands of indigenous people gathered last week in the country’s capital, Brasilia, for the “Free Land Camp” gathering, the president was not invited.
Over 6,000 people from various indigenous communities attended the event as it celebrated its 20th anniversary and several traditional rituals and peaceful marches were organized by the protesters.
But there were also loud protests and discontent against Lula da Silva accusing him of broken promises on land demarcation.
Sent demand letter
They have also sent a demand letter to the authorities with 25 points demanding changes.
“Despite the recent change of government, the threats to our territories, cultures and rights remain,” the demand letter said, among other things, reports Le Monde.
Marivelton Baré, leader of the Rio Negro Federation of Indigenous Organizations, which represents 24 indigenous tribes from the northwestern part of Brazil’s Amazon, is disappointed by developments in the country.
– We expected a lot from the government, but they do very little. We knew Congress would be hostile, but not as much as it has been. And in Congress, the government uses indigenous and environmental issues as subjects of negotiation, he says AP.
Since Lula da Silva took office as president, his government has created ten indigenous territories, which indigenous leaders say is not enough.
According to the non-profit organization Socio-Environmental Institute, 251 territories have been claimed.