Government receives indigenous people to express support for their struggle

Secretariat for the Government Ricardo Berzoini received Wednesday (Nov. 11) a group of indigenous people coming to the federal capital from different parts of Brazil to protest against the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC in the original acronym) 215/2000. The amendment aims to transfer the responsibility for demarcating lands of indigenous, quilombolas and protected areas from the executive branch to the legislative.

Berzoini showed support for the indigenous struggle and pointed out that "PEC 215 was introduced by Congress and does not have the federal government’s support." According to him, "this PEC is not a solution and can even provoke more conflict, and affect the rights for land of indigenous peoples."

Narúbia Werreria, member of the Karajá people, said her community sees the amendment as a regression that is affecting recently established rights. "We will not accept regressions. We have a new strengthened generation to carry on the struggle. We want to withdraw the amendment," she pointed out.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta

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