We would rather die than be evicted. For centuries, indigenous peoples in Brazil have faced forced relocation, cultural erasure, and violence.
- Historically, the Brazilian government has forcibly relocated over 70% of its indigenous population since the 1970s.
- Crops, livestock, and other valuable resources were seized from Native American communities, leading to widespread displacement.
- Indigenous people have also been forced to abandon their traditional lands, homes, and cultural practices in favor of state-provided land.
A History of Forced Relocation
The Brazilian government's policies of forced relocation were justified by the notion that indigenous peoples were inferior to the non-indigenous population. This ideology was perpetuated through laws and policies such as Lei do Índio (Indigenous Law) and a series of treaties.
- Lei do Índio, passed in 1993, aimed to assimilate indigenous peoples into mainstream society by promoting their adoption of European values and practices.
- The 1988 Constitution recognized the rights of indigenous peoples, including the right to self-determination and land ownership. However, this was largely ignored in practice.
Indigenous Rights and International Law
International law recognizes indigenous peoples' rights to their ancestral lands, culture, and natural resources. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007) and the Convention 38 on the Protection of the Cultural Diversity of Human Communities (2007) provide frameworks for addressing indigenous displacement.
- The Brazilian government has failed to respect its obligations under international law, leading to ongoing human rights abuses against indigenous communities.
- Many indigenous people in Brazil continue to face challenges related to land ownership, access to education and healthcare, and cultural preservation.