Brazil: Indigenous Tupinikins and Guaranis demand the demarcation and recognition of their invaded land, Aracruz, Espírito Santo

The indigenous Tupinikins and Guaranis in the state of Espírito Santo demand the official demarcation and recognition of their land, which they demarcated themselves between the 17th and the 20th of May 2005. The land had been occupied by the company Aracruz Celulose for eucalyptus plantations decades back. Since 1979, the indigenous Tupinikins and Guaranis have been trying to recover it. In 1998, the indigenous communities were forced to accept an agreement with the company, after the federal government had arbitrarily demarcated only 7,061 hectares of the whole land. The technical team of the National Indigenous Foundation (FUNAI), as well as the Federal Public Ministry proved, however, that an additional 11,008 hectares have to be officially given back to these indigenous peoples.

Since May the indigenous peoples have been waiting for the official demarcation and recognition of 18,070 hectares. This demarcation and recognition is essential for the fulfillment of the right to food of the indigenous communities of this region. Please, send a formal letter to the Justice Minister, Márcio Thomaz Bastos, and to the President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, demanding the subscription of the demarcation and the recognition of the land of the Tupinikins and Guaranis. Please, send a copy to the support organization FASE-ES.