Protests against the bill that modifies the demarcation of indigenous lands and threatens protected territories. | Photo: Twitter: @midia1508

Brasilia, June 28 (RHC)-- The advance of the legislative project 490/2007, which liberalizes the demarcation of lands, including Indigenous lands, has generated a reaction among Indigenous peoples who in Brasilia and other cities have undertaken protest actions during the day on Monday.

A demonstration by the Guarani Mbya do Jaraguá community blocked a highway in Sao Paulo since Friday morning, for one hour every day until this Monday.   The demonstrators are against the initiative which was approved last Thursday, by a vote of 41 to 21 -- in a commission of the Chamber of Deputies, one day after police officers clashed with a group of indigenous people from different parts of the country who were camping in areas of the legislature.

The Indigenous community is also protesting against the appointment of Joaquim Álvaro Pereira Leite to the Ministry of Environment, after the departure of Ricardo Sales.  They denounce that Pereira Leite is part of a traditional family of coffee growers in Sao Paulo, which for decades has been trying to appropriate the Jaraguá territory.

Meanwhile, a delegation of indigenous people from Tocantins travels to Brasilia this Monday to join the demonstration that is pressuring the Chamber of Deputies to prevent the approval of the Bill.

Both the native peoples and the movements they represent affirm that the bill, if approved, will make demarcation more difficult and facilitate the exploration of indigenous territories. 

Others point out the unconstitutionality of the legislation, which violates Article 231 of the Constitution and international conventions on Indigenous protection.