After 11 days, the mission of the United Nations (UN) to investigate cases of violence committed against indigenous peoples, people of African descent and other vulnerable groups in Brazil ended today. Since May 2nd, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, has visited indigenous and quilombola communities, met with civil society representatives and government authorities. Based on the information gathered, she asked that there be an investigation of genocide against indigenous populations and that those responsible be punished. The undersecretary-general said that only national and international courts can characterize violations against these groups as genocide. The UN mission had the objective of mapping the occurrences, suggesting ways of preventing and containing the identified problems. “The crime of genocide should be investigated. My role is to point out the problems related to the genocide. We have several risk factors. But decisions regarding investigations rest with Brazil, which signed the Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. My role is only to show the risks, not to solve them”, she said. Alice Wairimu understands that the life of indigenous and quilombola communities has worsened in the last four years, when the country was under the government of former president Jair Bolsonaro. But she preferred to focus on the issue from a broader point of view, indicating that these populations are historically victims of violence and neglect. “I know that in the last administration, some policies were accelerated. And the lives of indigenous populations have become more precarious than they were before. But let’s not forget how structural and deep this problem is. Brazil must deal with the problems of indigenous and Afro-descendant populations. And find a leadership that can guarantee that these people have a more dignified life”. Indigenous territories During her visit to the country, Alice Wairimu Nderitu met with representatives of federal institutions, such as the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama), the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH), the Advocacy General of Union (AGU), the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) and the Federal Public Ministry (MPF). And she also met with ministers Sônia Guajajara, from Indigenous Peoples; Anielle Franco, from Racial Equality, and Ana Moser, from Sport. The undersecretary visited the Yanomami territories, in Roraima, and Guarani Kaiowá, in Mato Grosso do Sul, and met with the governors of both states. About the Yanomami peoples, she said she heard testimonies of abuses and violations. She reinforced that the main aggressors are involved in illegal mining. And she found that local populations were affected in their rights to access and use land, health and education. In addition, there have been assassinations of local leaders and defenders of human rights and the environment. Impacts on water contamination, spread of malaria and diseases aggravated by malnutrition in children were recorded. Reports of rape of women and girls and other forms of gender violence were also mentioned. Regarding the Guarani Kaiowá people, the undersecretary said she was shocked by their extreme poverty. She highlighted the problems of demarcating indigenous territories and conflicts with large farmers. She cited the violent expulsion of indigenous people from the land, and the fact that many live on the sidelines of highways in degrading conditions. She recalled discrimination in access to basic goods and services, such as drinking water, food, health and education for children, and said that the use of force by state security bodies against unarmed civilians is excessive, resulting in murders and arbitrary arrests. The undersecretary demanded investigations into the complaints received. Quilombolas and Afro-descendants Alice Nderitu said she met leaders of Afro-descendants and Quilombola communities in Brasília, Mato Grosso do Sul and Rio de Janeiro. She highlighted the stories of police violence, motivated by structural racism, and said that these groups are victims of insecurity and generalized violence, which hinder the right to education, impact health, nutrition and job opportunities. The undersecretary stated that the Brazilian State has been failing to guarantee sexual and reproductive health care for black girls and women. And she showed concern about the data on incarceration in the country, which affects mostly black men.
Agência Brasil
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