IN PHOTOS: Indigenous protestors camp at Bolsonaro's doorstep as crucial native title case begins
A Brasilia court will hear a case on whether legal protection should be accorded to only those lands owned by native people in 1988
At least 4,000 indigenous protestors from 117 ethnic groups are protesting near the complex housing the presidency, Congress and the Supreme Court in Brasilia. Photo by José Cruz / Agência Brasil
At least 4,000 indigenous protestors from 117 ethnic groups are protesting near the complex housing the presidency, Congress and the Supreme Court in Brasilia since August 22, 2021. Photo by José Cruz / Agência Brasil
They are protesting against alleged pressure by President Jair Bolsonaro to influence the ruling of the Supreme Court on a landmark case that starts August 25, 2021. Photo by Laycer Tomaz / CD
The case is related to an indigenous reservation in southern Santa Catarina state but is likely to impact native title across Brazil. The country’s agribusiness lobby has argued that its constitutional protection of indigenous lands should only apply to those whose inhabitants were present in 1988, when the current constitution was adopted, the Buenos Aires Times reported. Photo by Hudson Fonseca / Aleam
But indigenous rights activists say those indigenous residents who were forced off their lands during Brazil’s 1964-1985 military dictatorship, should also benefit from the protected status of official reservations. Photo by Marcelo Camargo / Agência Brasil
Experts have said that if the case goes in favour of limiting protection to indigenous lands owned in 1988, it would increase violence against indigenous people in the Amazon and other areas. If it goes in favour of indigenous communities, a bill brought by Bolsonaro before the Congress seeking to enshrine the ‘1988 timeframe’ in law could be deflated. Photo by Valter Campanato / Agência Brasil
