Number 77, May. 6, 1993

RURAL VIOLENCE

- Ecologist killed in Espirito Santo.

The news of the death of ecologist Paulo Cesar Vinha, murdered on April 28th in Espirito Santo, continues to have repercussions in Brazil and abroad. In Brasilia, the National Movement for Human Rights (MNDH) released a statement saying that the crime "confirms the unhappy routine of the last 30 years, marked by the selective killing of leaders of social and grassroots movements in Brazil". The note demands that the Brazilian authorities carry out a "full and rigorous investigation into the crime" and calls for the organization of civil society to find ways to protect the lives of hundreds of men and women who hold the responsibility of leadership in the social movements and who are constantly threatened with death by individuals and minority groups, who, all too often, retain exclusive rights to the economic wealth of the country".

The Movement also sees in this hideous crime that took the life of Paulo Vinha, "the criminal action of those who, cost what it may, destroy the country's natural resources in the interest of personal gain". On April 29th, the judge of Vila Velha, Maria do Ceu Pitanda de Andrade, ordered the arrest of Ailton Barros Queiroz and his brother Jose Barbosa Queiroz, owners of the Terraplan sand company, who are being accused of the crime.

Claudio Vereza, the regional president of the Worker's Party, to which Paulo Vinha belonged, said in Vitoria that it was very likely that Paulo had been murdered because of his participation inthe work of three movements: the demarcation of indigenous territory that had been invaded by the Aracruz Cellulose Company in order to plant eucalyptus trees; the movement to put a stop to the indiscriminate extraction of sand in the municipality of Vila Velha; and the movement for the defense of the street children of Jucu, a neighborhood of the city of Espirito Santo.

Vereza remembered that at a meeting of the Worker's Party in Juca, a week before his death, Paulo Vinha said he was worry about being killed ("I'm afraid of dying, I feel threatened") and this isexactly what happened when he went alone to carry out a biological survey in the State Park of Setiba, in Vila Velha.

The president of the Biologists Association in Espirito Santo, Andre Ruschi, stated that Paulo had been involved in the struggle for the repossession of an indigenous area that was invaded by the Aracruz Cellulose Company and that was recently the subject of a civil inquiry. Ruschi added that "whatever the cause of his death, it was the result of the omission of the competent organizations on the environmental question. "If ecologists and pacifists are being killed in cold blood, where is society going ?" "We're facing the symptoms of a typical civil war and it's time we did a little reflection"

One of the Worker Party councilors in Espirito Santo, Perly Cipriano, said that "everything points to a crime that served to silence a voice in defense of nature".

- Another rural leader killed in Para.

Another name was added on Sunday, May 2nd, to the long list of rural worker's union leaders killed in Brazil by the wealthy land owners and the enemies of agrarian reform. This time the victim was Arnaldo Delcidio Ferreira, the president of the Rural Workers Union of Eldorado, in the south of Para. He was shot by unknown gunmen, in the town of Eldorado.

In 1985, Arnaldo was shot in the throat while waiting for a bus, in the bus station of Eldorado. In the attack, Adelaide Molinari, a religious sister belonging to the Congregation of the Daughters of Divine Love, was shot dead. A gunman had tried to kill him, but the bullets hit the sister. According to the Church's Pastoral Commission for Land (CPT), Delcidio had been a marked man since 1985.

- Human rights organization accuse economic group of kidnapings.

The secretary of the Northern Region of the National Movement for Human Rights, Iriomar Ramos, accused the economic group of Joao Santos, of kidnaping two rural workers, Mascarenhas and Raimundo Silva and burning down the homes of 25 families at the end of April, in the townsland of Buriti, near Maraba, in Para.

The Human Rights group said that "Gunmen, hired by wood merchants and sugar cane producers, acted in conjunction with the police and agents of the Justice Department". Joao Santos' company has already expelled 35 families from the area. "He wants to 'clean up' the 3 thousand hectares of land in the region", says Iriomar. Santos' company already have 240 thousand hectares of land in the municipalities of Caxias, Coelho Neto, Timon, Bacelar, Buriti and others.

Politicians from the progressive parties, religious and social groups,and lawyers marched to Buriti and held a public protest in support of the kidnaped workers. "After that", says the Human Rights Movement, "the two rural workers were freed".

- Campaign to denounce slave labor in Brazil.

As part of a campaign to denounce the existence of slave labor in Brazil, a fast and vigil has been organized by several social and grassroots entities, with the support of church and international groups. The fast is also being used to show solidarity for the lawyer and coordinator of the Catholic Church's Commission for Land (CPT) in Parana, Darci Frigo. Last September, Frigo was condemned to one year's imprisonment for defamation in a process brought against him by Luciano Pizzatto. (Pizzatto had been denounced for forcing people to work under slavery conditions on his land).

On May 6th, an appeal against the sentence was to be heard. Entities that denounced slave labor in Brazil and which support Frigo, began their fast on May 3rd, in Curitiba, Parana.

On the same day, May 3rd, the CPT released their new book, "Land Conflicts - 1992 Edition", which describes the situation in the rural areas of Brazil, including the land conflicts and human rights violations against thousands of rural workers and their leaders.

There was also a debate on the issue with the Rev. Ricardo Resende, an advisor to the United Nations on questions of Human Rights and recent winner of the Anti-Slavery Award given by the Anti-Slavery Organization in England for his work in denouncing slavery in the region of Rio Maria, in Para, Brazil.

Three Catholic bishops, d. Augusto Rocha, president of the CPT, d. Ladislau Biernaski and d. Demetrio, coordinator of the Department for Social Pastoral Care, of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB), were also present at the trial to give their support. The campaign is also being supported by America's Watch and Amnesty International.

HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES

-Impunity stimulates crimes.

Asked for his views on the recent killings of grassroots leaders, the Bishop Pedro Casadaglia of Sao Felix do Araguaia, (Mato Grosso) said, "We're witnessing the triumph of impunity, that systematically creates new victims, both in the cities and the rural areas. such as biologist Paulo Cesar Vinha in Espirito Santo and the president of the Rural Worker's Union of Eldorado, Para, Arnaldo Delcidio Ferreira. Public opinion in the country is alarmed at such cynicism. It's also of grave concern, that, as in the case of Delcidio, someone can be marked for death for a number of years until they are finally gunned down".

Bishop Pedro also added, "What can be done? More and more society must get organized and participate in organizations for human rights, that work for true citizenship and ethical values in public life. The conscientious minorities have to get together more to channel the collective cry of civil society".

Roque Graziottin, coordinator of the Human Rights Movement in Caxias, Rio Grande do Sul, told AGEN that in his opinion "the judicial system doesn't allow the accusations made by the population to come to anything. The system is in the hands of those with the economic power, as is the apparatus of the State. The drug mobs, for example, are there for everybody to see, but the authorities do nothing".

- Go-between in the death of Fonteles to go on trial again May 14.

Lawyer and ex-agent of the repressive forces during the military regime, James Vita Lopes, the go-between in the murder of Paulo Fonteles de Lima, the lawyer and ex-state deputy for the Communist Party of Brazil (PC do B), and one of the principal defenders of agrarian reform in Brazil, will go on trial again in Belem (Para), on May 14th.

At the first trial, held two months ago, James Vita was condemned to 21 years in jail. Since he was condemned to more than 20 years, according to the Penal Code, he has the right to another trial, with a new jury.

The 35-year old Paulo Fonteles, an ex-political prisoner of the military regime, was killed on June 11th, 1987, as he filled up his car at a gas station in Ananindeua, Belem. The two gunmen were never found. The most likely reason for the crime is that someone wanted to silence Paulo Fonteles.

- NGOs put pressure on Congress to create permanent commission on human rights.

A campaign to put pressure on the National Congress to create a permanent commission on human rights is being started by the National Movement for Human Rights (MNDH) and other NGOs from all over Brazil. As yet, Congress has not set a date to vote on the proposal , written by Federal Deputy, Benedita da Silva (Worker's Party, Rio) to create the commission.

According to Benedita, who was narrowly beaten in last year's mayoral election in Rio de Janeiro, and who is a member of the Assembly of God church, the country's main Pentecostal cChurch denomination, "The setting up of this commission is absolutely vital, urgent and indeed, very late in coming, since, in Brazil, with every day that passes, the number of social questions, where there are constant human rights violations, is mounting".

Benedita adds that "It's inadmissible, that the 'House of the People', as the House of Parliament is called, doesn't yet have a commission of this nature. Human rights are natural and essential rights that orient people's lives without discrimination, and that in these troubled times, it's essential that the Legislative Power, with a Human Rights Commission, be an instrument capable of investigating all human rights violations, whether they be of individuals or groups".

ECONOMICS

- Mercosul: entities want postponement.

Paulo Tomsic, a researcher with CEDI/ Sao Paulo (Ecumenical Center for Documentation and Information), reports that his entity is organizing six seminars on the question of the Mercosul, an accord for economic integration between Brazil Argentina, Paraquay and Uruquay. According to Paulo, Mercosul is being implanted to favor only the transnational groups and the strong economic powers of the border region. It's an anti-democratic project, being pushed too fast and will profoundly affect the lives of the people of the four countries that it involves.

Trade union, university and church entities from the three southern states of Brazil are proposing that Mercosul be postponed, to give small producers in the area time to restructure and allow the population of all four countries to participate in the debate. The entities reject the only criterion being used for the merger, which they claim is the economic factor.

CEDI foresees big losses for the small rural producers of milk, corn, soy beans and pork in Brazil, because of competition with the Argentinian market. On the other hand, the Argentinian car and steel industry will almost certainly be dismantled, due to Brazilian exports, and this will result in the loss of over 500 thousand Argentinian jobs.

- Recession and uncertainty mark Worker's Day in Brazil.

The worst recession in its history and a general climate of uncertainty, as well as an unprecedented escalation in violence mark this year's First of May celebrations in Brazil. As a direct consequence of the neo-liberal policies pursued, without interruption, since the government of President Jose Sarney and his successors Fernando Collor and Itamar Franco, the number of unemployed, landless, homeless and destitute has grown enormously. Urban and rural violence have reached frightening proportions.

Statistics from the military police, for instance, show that there is a robbery every ten minutes in the city of Sao Paulo. Social welfare programs are getting smaller and smaller grants , while more and more is invested in the instruments of repression.

Meanwhile, the federal government is adopting an ever more submissive line with the big creditors and the International Monetary Fund. Because of this , the demonstrations for the First of May, were concentrated on protesting neo-liberalism and its dehumanizing consequences.

HOUSING

- Politician accused of hindering project.

The coordinator of the National Movement for Housing, Julia Franca, accused the president of the Permanent Commission for Urban Development, of the House of Parliament, Marcelino Nazareno, of the PPS Party, of "hindering the setting up of Special Commission on the subject". "In this way", says Julia Franca, "Nazareno is able to keep the control of the project for Low-cost Housing in his own hands".

The coordinator warns that "not setting up the Commission - which is being blocked by the deputies from the old PDS party and the PFL - represents a stalemate for the project of a political policy on the question of housing in Brazil". On May 5th and 6th, in Brasilia, a National Forum was held to discuss a project for a National Fund for Low-cost Housing. Entities involved in this area are proposing that priority be given to low-income families, but they are meeting with a lot of resistance from businessmen from the construction sector.

RACIAL ISSUES

- Brazil and racism.

A delegation from the African National Congress (ANC), the principal black organization in South Africa, led by Nelson Mandela, will visit Brazil shortly, at the invitation of the Brazilian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Fernando Henrique Cardoso.

This official visit of the ANC represents, according to sources in Brasilia, a decisive move on the part of the Brazilian government in favor of the democratic transition in South Africa, that it is hoped will put an end to the racist regime of apartheid and guarantee political rights for the black majority in that country.

Meanwhile, here in Brazil, black consciousness movements, with the help of trade unions, human rights, cultural and grassroots groups, are organizing commemorations for May 13th, entitled "National Combat Racism Day". In the center of Sao Paulo, there will be demonstrations to protest against racial discrimination against the black population, people from the Northeast, women, Jews, street children, homosexuals and other segments of Brazilian society.

- Neo-Nazi Groups Have Links in Europe, United States

The recent manifestations of racism in Brazil are not isolated acts of gangs, but are part of a growing, organized movement with international ramifications. This is the finding of a new report on racism in Brazil prepared by the University of Sao Paulo's Center of Studies on Violence (NEV/USP) and the Teotonio Vilela Human Rights Commission (CTV). The study cites several socio-economic-political analyses and states that "the resurgence of prejudice and anti-Semitism is a consequence of the world social and economic crisis." In this sense, "the sectors of the population most affected by the economic crisis may furnish the support for authoritarian ideologies."

Brazil's economic and social crisis guarantees the cultural mix favorable to racism and discrimination. According to NEV and CTV, this crisis would only have the effect of inciting latent racism among the people, as "Brazilian racial democracy is a myth". A recent survey published in the "Estado de Sao Paulo" gives evidence to this: 68.5% of all football fans interviewed stated that Sao Paulo "should shut its doors to people from Northeast Brazil."

The report states that a number of racist and neo-Nazi groups have international connections, and some of these groups have received support form the United States and Europe. Neo-Nazi Brazilian militants travel abroad for training. One of these militants is from the Sao Paulo suburb of Santo Andre, where a black youth was recently killed by "skinheads". Another militant leader trained in Europe is Ivan Guido Ferreira, a "skinhead" leader.

Federal Police deputy Joao Cancio Pereira, who is cited in the report, and who has been investigating racist groups for over a year, is said to have data indicating that neo-Nazi Germans are financing groups based in Sao Paulo. The Federal Police has the names of foreign groups connected to the Sao Paulo "skinheads". They include the "Condemned 84" of England, "Having a Laugh" of Italy, "Streetwise", of the Netherlands, "The Church Creator", of the United States, and "Junta de Defesa Nacional" of Portugal. One North American group offers its sympathizers in other countries a newsletter published in the local language, with one page of news of the local country.

The NEV and CTV report names 30 active neo-Nazi groups in Sao Paulo alone. One of these groups, "Afrikaner", is made up of Brazilians of Dutch descent, and defends the extermination of blacks. Other principal groups are:

1)White Power - "Skinhead" faction. Has adopted a Hitler-type style and ideology. Does not admit blacks or Northeasterners in its groups. Wants the Southeastern part of Brazil to secede. Active in Sao Paulo, Parana, and Rio Grande do Sul. Leader is Nelson Ferreira, known as "Macbacker".

2)Carecas do ABC ("Skinheads of the ABC cities in Greater Sao Paulo") - Consists of youth in Sao Paulo's periphery. Uses Nazi emblems. Allows blacks and Northeasterners in its groups. Nulls their electoral votes. Harasses drug users, rock fans, long-hairs, and multinationals. Makes an annual appearance at the May 1st demonstration in downtown Sao Paulo. Members of the Brazilian Integralist Action. Slogan is "God , Fatherland, Family."

3)Carecas do Brasil ("Skinheads of Brazil") - Based in Rio de Janeiro. Strong and aggressive. Claim to have blacks in their groups. Do not like foreigners.

4)Skinheads - Identify themselves with the extreme right. Politically active. Defend racism. Have almost 1000 members in Sao Paulo. Are enemies of the "carecas". May have connections with Belgian, German, and Portuguese groups.

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