Today, May 30, 2023, the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies is voting for the Temporary Framework Bill 490 as an emergency procedure. The Indigenous Peoples of Brazil and the world reject this legal setback. In this article we tell you why this bill is a threat to the planet and what you can do to join this global mobilization to stop this unjust initiative.
What is the Time Frame?
[box] The Temporary Framework is a legal thesis defended by Brazilian agribusiness that proposes that only the territories occupied by indigenous peoples on October 5, 1988, the date of promulgation of the Brazilian Constitution, can be legally recognized and demarcated.[/box].
This perverse and unconstitutional legal interpretation ignores that due to centuries of persecution and extermination, many Indigenous Peoples were expelled from their territories.
In addition, this Bill 490 (called by the indigenous peoples of Brazil "Legislating Genocide") would allow the invasion of indigenous lands and forced acculturation; since it questions the processes of demarcation of indigenous territories, including those already demarcated.
That is to say, that would recognize as legitimate the land tenure of invaders of Indigenous Lands (settlers), facilitating the taking of land.facilitating the seizure of land. Read in this link the emblematic case of the Xokleng People.
This dictatorial legal framework would promote the cultural and livelihood loss of Brazil's indigenous peoples, who would be exposed to being forced to abandon their own territories, after centuries of struggle to defend them.
It would also modify constitutional concepts of indigenous policy, such as traditional occupation, native rights and exclusive use of the land.
Context
This bill is not an isolated case, but part of a worrying movement of legislative changes currently underway in Brazil.
On May 24, 2023, the following was approved Provisional Measure (MP) 1154 was approved.was approved, which weakens the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI), withdrawing them the power to demarcate indigenous lands.. It also destructures the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MMA), taking away the management of the Rural Environmental Registry (Registro Ambiental Rura - CAR), and the management of the Indigenous Lands.l - CAR, fundamental instrument for combating deforestation and environmental and the environmental regularization of rural properties.
In addition, national agencies and information, basic sanitation utility systems, solid waste management and water resource management are withdrawn from the MMA.
If these measures are approved, they will have a direct impact on the lives of Brazil's indigenous peoples. But they will also affect the world's population. Despite representing only 5% of the world's population, Indigenous Peoples protect 80% of the global biodiversity in their territories (UN).
What can we do?
- Join in the defense of the rights of the Indigenous Peoples of Brazil. Let's set a precedent, creating pressure to say NO to this Legislature Genocide.
- Follow the official social networks of Brazil's indigenous movement APIB (@apiboficial) and share their content by tagging them.
- Donate to support the indigenous mobilization: SUPPORT APIB
- Sign and share your petitions to stop this initiative at the following links: PL490NAO, Avaaz Petition and GreenPeace
