In 1988, the Brazilian government launched a massive urbanization project aimed at relocating thousands of indigenous people from rural areas to cities. The project was part of a broader effort to assimilate Brazil's Native Peoples into mainstream society.
The forced relocation was carried out with little regard for the well-being and autonomy of the affected communities. Indigenous families were often forcibly evicted from their ancestral lands, and those who remained were subjected to harassment and violence.
The Brazilian government's policies towards indigenous peoples have been widely criticized as discriminatory and oppressive. The project led to significant social and cultural disruption for the affected communities, and many survivors continue to suffer from long-term physical and emotional trauma.
As the Brazilian Constitution enshrines the rights of indigenous people, including their right to self-determination and autonomy over their lands (Article 65), it is essential that governments prioritize the needs and interests of these communities in all policy decisions.
This editorial serves as a call to action for the Brazilian government to acknowledge its past mistakes, address ongoing injustices, and work towards a more equitable and just relationship between indigenous peoples and the state.