New Funai head pledges speedier land demarcation
New President of the Brazil Indian Foundation (Funai) João Pedro Gonçalves da Costa 
New President of the Brazil Indian Foundation (Funai) João Pedro Gonçalves da Costa took office on Wednesday (Jun 17) with the promise of speeding up the demarcation of indigenous territories in process under Funai, the Justice Ministry, and the Presidency.
“The subject of indigenous land demarcation is an urgent one. I'll bring swiftness to it and make it so that we become capable of carrying out this agenda,” the new president declared.
Costa, who worked as a senator from 2007 to 2015, said that he opposes the Constitutional Amendment Bill 215, which transfers to the National Congress the responsibility to demarcate areas traditionally occupied by indigenous people and the ratification of already recognized territories. He stated he will work to promote the appropriate debate on the topic.
“We must join the efforts of civil society, OAB [the Brazil's Bar Association], CNBB [National Conference of Bishops of Brazil], and congressmen, to avert facing a setback in what was achieved through the Constitution of 1988. We have to cast an essentially humane look at the indigenous peoples and face this political debate in order to prevent the displeasure of stepping back in history,” he argued.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Ministry of Justice building, was attended by Justice Minister José Eduardo Cardozo, Culture Minister Juca Ferreira, and head of the Secretariat of Human Rights of the Presidency Pepe Vargas, apart from a number of deputies and senators.
Costa steps up in place of Flavio Chiarelli Vicenti de Azevedo, who was acting president after the departure of Maria Augusta Assirati.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: New Funai head pledges speedier land demarcation
