Brazilian Amazon Bishops call
for attention for indigenous peoples
 |
| A section of the Amazon rainforest (AFP) |
The 67 Bishops of the Brazilian Amazon appeal for special
attention for the vulnerable people of the Amazon and the rainforest.
By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ
Bishops of the Brazilian Amazon have expressed their
concerns about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the peoples of the Amazon
and the rainforest. In a statement issued on 4 May they call for “urgent
measures from the Federal Government, the National Congress, the State
Governments and the Legislative Assemblies.”
“The peoples of the Amazon demand special attention from the
authorities so that their lives are not further violated. The statistics
reported by the media do not correspond to reality. Testing is insufficient to
know the real expansion of the virus. Many people with evident symptoms of the
disease die at home without medical assistance or access to a hospital,” reads
the statement.
The statement, signed by all 67 Bishops of the Amazon, was
issued by the Episcopal Commission for the Amazon of the National Conference of
Brazilian Bishops (CNBB).
Poor healthcare
Alarmed at the poor access to healthcare of the population
of the Amazon, the Bishops note that “extensive areas of the Amazon have no ICU
beds at all and only a few municipalities meet the minimum requirements
recommended by the World Health Organization.” They further observe that the
forest peoples and those living in the peripheries lack basic sanitation, housing,
food and employment opportunities.
The prelates remind the authorities that “it is the State's
obligation to guarantee them the rights stated in the Federal Constitution by
offering minimum conditions which will help them get through this difficult time.”
Deforestation
The Bishops also turned their attention to the effects of
the virus on the rainforest. According to data released by the National
Institute for Space Research (INPE), deforestation in the Amazon grew by 279.9%
in March 2020.
This is due to the increase in legal and illegal mining and
reclaiming of the forest soybean plantations and cattle ranching. Contributing
to this growth is “the notorious loosening of land inspections and the
continuous political discourse against environmental protection and indigenous
areas protected by the Federal Constitution,” notes the statement.
Violence
Another cause for concern for the Bishops is the increase in
violence in the countryside and the militarization of the Commission for the
Amazon.
The Bishops remark that this is caused by “the extinction,
scrapping, financial restructuring and political instrumentalization of
agencies such as the Ministry of Agrarian Development (MDA), the National
Indian Foundation (FUNAI), the Brazilian Institute of the Environment (IBAMA)
and agricultural, environmental and labour inspection and control agencies.”
Call for urgent measures
The Bishops’ statement lists thirteen points which they
stress upon as requiring crucial attention.
The CNBB calls on authorities to save human lives by
strengthening public polices and rebuilding communities. They also appeal for a
rejection of discourses “that discredits the effectiveness of scientific
strategies” and the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for health
workers in the frontlines.
As regards the indigenous population, the CNBB requests for
restrictive measures on the entry of people into their territories and the
testing of the population for Covid-19. They also appeal for food security for
them and the participation of civil society, social movements and
representatives of traditional populations in the spaces of political decision
making.
Additionally, the prelates propose the strengthening of
inspection measures against deforestation and artisanal mining in indigenous
lands. Also, they demand the repeal of a decree concerning the Commission for
the Amazon, and of a normative instruction that allows the invasion,
exploitation and commercialization of indigenous lands.
Coronavirus
The Amazon area in Brazil has been hard hit by the pandemic.
It has over 6,000 infected people and a high coronavirus mortality rate. As of
Tuesday morning, Brazil has 108,620 reported cases, 7,367 dead and 45,815
recovered patients.
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