e Paz)

Number 114, January 27, 1994.

RURAL QUESTIONS

- Paramilitary group terrorizes rural families in the State of Parana.

The Pastoral Land Commission (CPT) of the State of Parana denounced this week the activities of a paramilitary group against rural families in the municipality of Pinhao, Parana. The CPT alleges that the paramilitary group is working for the Zattar timber company.

On January 07 last, two members of this paramilitary group, Carlos Alberto Norato and Erno F. Perdum arrested Arnoldo Jose Mendes and his 12 year old nephew, Demir Orlando de Oliveira. They were released after spending 24 hours in the local police station having paid bail.

Josias Lech, who is an agricultural advisor with the Association of Rural Workers' families of Pinhao (Afatrup) maintains that this paramilitary group is "using the power of arms to force undocumented farmers (posseiros) to sign contracts and also to open gates into farms". Lech claims that Afatrup requested the local public prosecutor, Diocer Krepski, to open a case against the members of the paramilitary group who arrested Mendes and Oliveira. However, the public prosecutor justified the presence of the paramilitary group saying that "the Zattar company contracted guards to protect its area and thus has the right to imprison".

Recently Father Edson Dupski of Pinhao who is also a member of the state coordination of the CPT as well as Josias Lech received open death threats. The State Secretariat of Public Security has to date done nothing to bring the authors of the death threats to justice. State Deputy Ovidio Constantino requested the Secretary of Public Security, Moacir Favetti, to intervene in the local military police in the municipality. He believes that the local police are not equipped to deal with the problem. Deputy Constantino also requested the establishment of a forestry police station in the area; in this way the timber company would not be able to use the excuse of needing a paramilitary group to protect its interests.

The presence of land violence in Pinhao dates back to the 1950s when the Zattar company first established itself in the region. Local farmers whose families had been in the area for more than 100 years accused the company at that time of extensive landgrabbing with the help of hired gun-men. In the last 10 years, especially after the setting up of the families' organization - Afatrup, violence from the timber company increased significantly. Towards the end of 1991 for example a group of gun-men attacked a school in the area where 35 children were at class, one of the children suffered gun wounds during the attack. A few days later, the gun-men attacked a group of families within the area and expelled them from their land. A 12 year old child belonging to one of the families attacked suffered a gun wound to the stomach. Some time later, the gun-men attacked another group of families; various members of these families suffered gun wounds during this attack. On November 05, 1991, this same group assassinated Darci Jose de Ramos while he worked on his farm.

Soon after, because of national and international pressure, 7 gun-men, all employees of the Zattar company, were imprisoned. Approximately 3 months later they were freed. Once again, armed functionaries of the company are openly threatening the families. It is calculated that there are approximately 40 armed men in this paramilitary group belonging to the Zattar company. Apart from being well armed they use a uniform and have the use of a helicopter.

- Gun-men beat up farmers in the State of Mato Grosso.

Reports from the CPT in Sao Felix do Araguaia, Mato Grosso, denounce that on January 07 last three farmers without land documents (posseiros) from the area known as Gleba Roncador were beaten up and humiliated by gun-men in the municipality of Confreasa.

The CPT of Sao Felix do Araguia registered the official complaint of the three men with the regional substitute chief of police, Dr. Vaite and with the public prosecutor on January 13. However, as late as January 20 an inquiry had not been opened. Dr. Vaite claimed that the police had 30 days to carry out such an investigation and if necessary this period could be extended by a further 30 days. Concerning the disarmament of the gun-men he said that this topic should be discussed with the regional chief of police. When members of the CPT spoke with the public prosecutor concerning the use by local companies of armed groups, he stated that there was nothing which he could do, that this activity was within the law.

Gleba Roncador which belongs to the Codera company had part of its area disappropriated by presidential decree last December. However there are numerous posseiros who have farms outside the disappropriated area. A few days before this incident happened, 15 heavily armed gun-men were reported to have arrived by plane in the local airport in the municipality of Santa Terezinha and from there went to the Codesa ranch. Reports claim that later the gun-men were seen in uniform and the group is thought to be part of a paramilitary group which works throughout the state in areas of land tension.

ECOLOGY

The Movement in Defense of the Forests (Movimento em Defesa das Florestas) which represents the majority of environmental, social and trade union entities in the State of Acre, recently released a document in which they denounce grave crimes still being committed against the environment in the Amazonian area generally. A large number of the areas affected are within the Chico Mendes Reserve (Reserva Chico Mendes). The document lists areas in which such crimes are occurring:

In the municipality of Sena Madureira - 4 locations:-

A. The Valley of the River Iaco - the removal of approximately 25 thousand cubic meters of mahogany in the following locations:

1. Seringal Palmares.

2. Seringal Novo Natal.

3. Seringal Oriente.

4. Fazenda Santa Clara.

5. Seringal Novo Sao Joao.

6. Seringal Petropolis.

B. The Valley of the River Macaua - the extraction of approximately 5 thousand cubic meters of hardwood at the following locations:

1. Seringal Repouso.

2. Seringal Cachoeira.

C. Valley of the River Caete - extraction of approximately one thousand cubic meters of hardwoods.

1. Seringal Granja.

D. In the area of the River Purus - extraction of 12 thousand cubic meters of mahogany.

1. Praia da Vaca.

One location in the municipality of Rio Branco in the region of Riozinho do Rola:

1. Seringal Sao Francisco do Espalha.

2. Igarape Periquito.

In the municipality of Xapuri affected areas include:

1. Seringal Filipinas.

2. Seringal Nazare.

3. Seringal Venezuela.

4. Seringal Sao Jose.

Six areas are affected in the municipality of Brasileia;

1. Seringal Etelve.

2. Seringal Pinda.

3. Seringal Carmen.

4. Seringal Porvir.

5. Seringal Sao Cristovao.

6. Assentamento Extrativista Santa Quiteria.

The document claims that all of the areas in question have significant possibilities as areas of extraction with fertile lands and a rich fauna and vegetation. In spite of this, the deforestation continues in such areas on a large scale; the intention here is not only to extract the valuable timber but also to open up new areas for cattle ranching. The document further denounces that state and federal organs responsible for the preservation of the environment - in this case specifically IBAMA and IMAC, are negligent in the extreme in their task and are not able to inspect the areas in question because of lack of the necessary means and infrastructure to do so.

During October last, the State of Acre Office of Labor encountered sub-human working conditions in the Oriente and Palmares seringais in the municipality of Sena Madureira. 51 such cases were registered at the time and five companies were fined - Empresa Ferreira Industria e Comercio Importacao e Exportacao Ltda - Madeira Ferreira Ltda; Comercial Itapage Ltda; Empresa Cia. de Desenvolvimento Nova Olinda; Valdir A. Link and Madireira e Construtora Sao Joao Ltda.

ACTION APPEAL

The Movement for the Defense of the Forests believes that national and especially international protests would be very effective in resolving this situation. They appeal urgently for protest messages. The following are their demands and they request that you incorporate them into your protest message:

1.That Brazilian environmental laws be in fact applied in this region and elsewhere.

2. That the Brazilian government prohibit the cutting of mahogany in the Amazonian region until the damages already caused by this activity be accessed and that essential measures be put in place to prevent the destruction of the forests.

3. That mahogany be included in Appendix 11 of CITES (Convencao Internacional do Comercio de Especies de Flora e Fauna Ameacadas de Extincao). This is the International Convention of Commerce of Vegetation and Fauna Threatened with Extinction and if mahogany were included here, its sale could be controlled more easily.

4. The end of predatory logging which has caused the extinction of species in the areas where the extraction of mahogany has taken place.

On an international level the Movement for the Defense of the Forests requests that individuals and entities insist with the governments of their own countries that they buy no more hardwoods from the Amazonian region. You are also requested to send a fax to the Minister for the Environment and Amazonia, Dr. Rubens Ricupero, protesting the illegal extraction from the areas listed. The minister's fax number is 061-226-7101.

- Recent Ecology News.

The following is a summary of the news items carried by the principal Brazilian newspapers during the last week dealing with ecology. The date is given for each summary and the newspapers are identified as follows:

FSP = Folha de Sao Paulo.

GL = O Globo.

GM = Gazeta Mercantil.

JB = Jornal do Brasil.

OESP = O Estado de Sao Paulo.

January 17, 1994.

- The dunes necessary for the ecological equilibrium of the coast could disappear in Fortaleza, State of Ceara, due to the unplanned urban expansion and the extraction of sand. (GL).

- An NGO - Defenders of the Earth (Defensores da Terra) recently carried out a survey of the coast of the State of Rio de Janeiro and found that predatory fishing, oil spills, threat of a nuclear accident, the improper use of the soil, lack of basic sanitation and of adequate places for the disposal of garbage are the chief problems on the 600 km. coastline of the state. (JB).

- The historic patrimony of the city of Sao Joao del Rey in the State of Minas Gerais is being threatened by gold miners searching for gold in tunnels under the city which were opened a century ago. The miners are using explosives and this process is provoking cracks in the overhead buildings. (GL).

January 18.

- The National Rubber-Tappers Union (Conselho Nacional dos Seringueiros) denounces that the volume of mahogany exported by one timber company represents half of the amount of that timber allowed to be cut by the Brazilian government. (JB).

- The President of the House of Deputies, Inocencio de Oliveira assured the environment minister that he would request urgent treatment in Congress of the conventions dealing with biodiversity and climatic changes; the Brazilian government signed both of these conventions at the UN conference in Rio in June 1992. The convention was ratified by the House of Deputies later that day and has now been submitted to the Senate for its vote. (JB).

- One of the principal shrimp breeding grounds in the south of Brazil - Lagoa dos Patos, is being seriously threatened by industrial pollution coming from the rivers which pass through the industrial areas of the city of Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul. (JB).

January 20.

- Producers of cast-iron in the State of Minas Gerais have begun importing coke due to pressure by the environmental legislation. This legislation in the State of Minas Gerais fixed the use of charcoal coming from the local forests at 40%. (GM).

- The Gaucha Association for the Protection of the Environment requested that the Procurator of the Republic open an inquiry to find out who has been responsible for the abandonment in which the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha has been left. (JB).

January 21.

- IBAMA of the State of Santa Catarina wants to prohibit the fishing of sardines during 28 months. This is due to the severe reduction in the number of this fish due to overfishing. (FSP).

January 23.

- 19 shantytowns (favelas) surround the Floresta da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro. The forest contains such well known tourist attractions as the statue of Christ the Redeemer, Paineiras and the Pedra Bonita. The entire area of the park is 33 square kms. and has a mere 3 IBAMA guards protecting it from invasion. It is the largest urban park in the world and has been declared a reserve by UNESCO. (JB).

POLITICAL NEWS

- Congressional Investigation Committee Release Report on

Budget Scandal

Brazilians have a delightful way of describing certain

political events in terms of food. When something is a mess, they

call it a pineapple. The newest term is "pizza", and this refers

to the report of the Congressional Investigation on the Budget

Committee. Many felt that the final reports of the different sub-

committees of this congressional investigation (CPI) would end up

as a "pizza", that is, many different points of views and

conflicting reports.

On January 21, Federal Deputy Roberto Magalhaes presented

his final report of the CPI to the full membership of the

Committee. The report recommended that 18 deputies be expelled

from Congress because of their involvement in bribery and

kickbacks as members of the Budget Committee. It also asked for a

future investigation of another 14 congressional members. The

report stated that there was not sufficent proof to ask for

further investigation of, or expulsion from Congress of, another

11 members.

The fear of many Brazilians was that the reports from the

different sub-committees of the CPI would make the final report

of Deputy Roberto Magalhaes look like a "pizza".

Not all members of the CPI felt that the Committee's report

was satisfactory. Although the CPI report called for the

expulsion of 18 federal deputies, 67% of the people interviewed

in a telephone survey said that they were not satisfied with the

results. For them it was difficult to understand why none of

those mentioned as possibly receiving kickbacks from some

construction companies were not indicated for expulsion from

Congress.

Other members of the CPI complained that four names were

removed from the original report through some political

maneuvering -a type of political agreement made during an

election year. 1994 is an election year. This report has been

given to the President of Congress and it is now up to Congress

to decide whether to expel the 18 members. It will also be up to

Congress to conduct a further investigation of the other 14

members whose names came up a number of times in the

investigations, but for whom there was not enough time to do a

complete investigation.

There are those who wonder if Congress will get around to

this task. There is pressure for Congress to move ahead on the

revision of the Constitution. This may will take them up to the

beginning of the election season in April. Will there be enough

"will" on the part of Congress to expel 18 of its own members and

to continue the investigation of 14 others?

WOMEN'S ISSUES

- Sexual Harassment: An Aspect of Violence.

(The following is excerpted from an article by Maria de Amelia

Teles, director of the Sao Paulo Women's Union, printed in the

January 15 edition of "Vespera" magazine).

The issue of sexual harassment has been denounced by female

workers since the 1970s, when the first labor meetings of women

occurred. In Sao Paulo, the first demonstration against sexual

harassment took place in front of the ECHLIN metalworks factory,

in January 1985. However, the issue of sexual harassment,

especially in the work place, is still seen as taboo.

From my point of view, this is due to a series of factors: the

hypocritical posture of Brazilian society in looking at sexuality

and its manifestations; prejudice against women who work outside

the home and are seen as physically and morally available; the

brutal discrimination women suffer in the labor market; and the

complex circumstances in which colleagues, bosses, and union

members may be involved. Under these conditions, the first

reaction is to cover up any sexual harassment.

It is in the labor market where women become most vulnerable

to the "machista" actions of the government, management, and

union leaders, who unite in discriminatory actions against women.

The conditions facilitating sexual harassment can be seen in

newspaper classiifed ads - job offerings are based on stereotypes

of women. These stereotypes are manifested in the following

demands made on prospective employees: age; marital status;

appearance; and color. Professional qualifications are

considered only after the above items.

Another aspect of sexual harasssment one observes is the fear

of making an accusation, due, perhaps, to the fear of losing her

job and not being able to find another. The woman becomes

stigmatized, and has to face the reaction of her own colleagues

who will say the harassment occurred because she provoked it.

Sexual harassment by a work or union colleague is also difficult

to denounce. Where can a worker go to get the support necessary

to make an accusation?

Another aspect has surfaced recently. According to the 1988

federal Constitution, men can also denounce women for sexual

harassment. It would be irresponsible to affirm that sexual

harassment could only be committed by men. However, it is much

more common for men to be the aggressors. Yet two female workers

were recently dismissed from their jobs at a chemical factory,

and were accused of committing sexual harassment. One of them,

22 year old Elzenira de Aguiar Silva, told the press she "did not

know it was prohibited to work wearing bermudas and a mini-

sweater." The other, 24 year old Izaura Cordeiro said that her

work did not allow her to leave her machine "not even to go to

the bathroom, much less have sex."

Feminist organizations constantly receive complaints from

workers about sexual harassment. Women have found some support

in these groups, particularly judicial, psychological, and

political assistance. But that is not enough. The issue must be

seen as a labor problem.

Last November 25, on "No Violence Against Women" Day, a number

of feminists and labor groups delivered a document to the

president of CUT (Central Union of Workers) Jair Meneghelli,

asking for a resolution to the cases of sexual harassment

practiced by union members. Meneghelli has yet to respond.

Unions need to discuss sexual harassment as a labor conflict.

Currently there are no political initiatives to combat sexual

harassment, nor are there laws to punish the agressors. A law

against sexual harassment needs to be placed in the federal Penal

Code. Therefore, it is fundamental to mobilize politically to

defend the citizens' rights of women workers, and punish those

who disrespect them.

YOUTH

- Postal Service Creates Support Program for Youth.

The National Postal Service (ECT) is implementing the first

phase of the Grande Otelo Support Program for Needy Minors, which

was created at the end of 1993 to serve 20 thousand youths

between the ages of 14 and 18.

The program, which will provide professional and personal

development opportunities, will be funded through savings

resulting from the meal ticket program for ECT's 70,000 workers.

The youths will work four hours a day, primarily in providing

information to post office users. The ECT believes this service

will reduce customers' waiting time.

The youths will be given orientation and training at the post

offices. They will sign a contract guaranteeing them the

equivalent of 75% of the national monthly minimum salary. They

will also have the right to medical and dental services, and food

and tranportation vouchers.

The ECT states that this program will also introduce the

youths to the postal system's various administrative services,

providing the youths with professional skills they can take to

the job market at age 18.

The program will also have monitors to accompany and tutor the

youths in their school activities, and provide vocational and

educational orientation. ECT believes these measures will assist

the youths' integration into society.

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