Around 700 representatives of 89 Indian ethnic groups from nearly all of the states in Brazil assembled today in front of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, in BrasÀlia, for the national Liberated Land mobilization.
This event is part of “Indigenous April,” a movement organized by the Indigenous Rights Defense Forum (FDDI), which is encouraging a series of protests and debates around the country with respect to the Indianist policy of Lula’s Administration.
According to a note released by the Indianist Missionary Council (Cimi), the movement is calling for the creation of a National Council on Indianist Policy, with participation by representatives of the indigenous peoples and other organizations from civil society.
They are also urging the immediate ratification of 14 indigenous territories, greater agility in the processes of demarcation and homologation, the protection of traditional knowledge, and the fair sharing of the benefits derived from biodiversity.
Besides, the Indian movement wants an official declaration and governmental action to stop a number of roposals before the National Congress intended to overthrow or create obstacles in the path of Indian rights.
The Indian representatives will meet with the Minister of Justice, Márcio Thomaz Bastos, the president of the National Indian Foundation (Funai), Mércio Gomes, and other government officials.
ABr
