Follow up of the postcard action and the Guarani-Kaiowá case in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
In October 2008 the Face-It-Act-Now campaign launched a postcards petition on the Guarani-Kaiowá case, in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil. This postcard action was combined with the visit to Europe of a delegation composed by Amilton Lopes (representative of the Guarani – Kaiowa Community), Egon Eck (CIMI – Conselho Indigenista Misionario) and Jonia Rodrigues (FIAN Brazil). The postcards request the President of Brazil Lula to take all necessary measures to guarantee the realisation of the demarcation of the territories of the Guarani-Kaiowá through a so-called TAC, a process led by FUNAI (National Foundation for Indigenous peoples)
Nearly 2500 postcards were collected to support the Guarani-Kaiowá communities whose right to food has been severely violated over the last years. These communities are suffering from very difficult living conditions, from violence and from hunger caused by the lack of land. Most of the original indigenous territories are now in the hands of big landowners who are growing cane or soybean for agro-exports, and indigenous communities have no choice but to live in overcrowded reservations. As a consequence, for years the indigenous communities have been relying on food baskets provided by the State, and its social policies.
The postcards were handed over on March, 11th, on the occasion of the meeting of CONSEA (National Council on Food and Nutrition Security) in Brasilia. About 80 counsellors were present and all of them signed the postcard action as well. Jonia Rodrigues, from FIAN Brazil handed over the postcards to Renato Maluf, President of CONSEA, who is in direct contact with the Cabinet of President Lula. He will forward the postcards and will present the respective demands to the President of the Republic.
We will keep you informed about the development of the situation in the Guarani-Kaiowá communities of Mato Grosso do Sul, and hope that the demarcation of indigenous will soon be realised.
