Brazil: Peasant Families in Usina Aliança are fighting for Justice and Land

More than 600 peasant families who live on the unproductive land of “Usina Aliança” in Pernambuco, are suffering systematic violations of their human rights, especially their right to food and life. The workers have been demanding for 7 years the expropriation of 7,300 hectares, which is considered to be unproductive by INCRA (Institution that is responsible for the implementation of the Agrarian Reform) and Federal Justice in Pernambuco. The Juridical Power is blocking the process of expropriation. And this encourages the owner of the factory “Aliança” to persecute the workers through armed groups aiming at expelling them from the grounds. In 2003, two leaders of the peasant families have been killed and, due to the threats, many families had to leave and abandon the land where they have already been living for years. The contracted killers and their goons stay exempt from punishment.  

Regarding this serious situation, it is very important to put pressure on the Brazilian authorities so that they take immediate measures to expropriate the land and deliver it to the peasant families and, furthermore, to identify and punish the responsible for the committed violence against the families. Please send letters to the President of the Regional Federal Court and to the Governor of Pernambuco. Please send copies of these letters to the Pastoral Comission of the Land, Comisión Pastoral de la Tierra.