Indigenous Brazilians camp out in Brasilia awaiting decision bill curtailing land rights

Record ID: 1633575

  • Title: Indigenous Brazilians camp out in Brasilia awaiting decision bill curtailing land rights
  • Date: 24th August 2021
  • Summary: BRASILIA, BRAZIL (AUGUST 23, 2021) (REUTERS) INDIGENOUS PROTESTERS GATHERED AND CHANTING "OUT BOLSONARO" INDIGENOUS PEOPLE CAMPING AT ESPLANADE OF MINISTRIES INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DANCING TENTS VARIOUS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE SETTING UP TENTS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE SELLING CRAFTS INDIGENOUS MAN DIGGING HOLE TO SET UP TENT VARIOUS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE GETTING TESTED WITH NASAL SWABS HEALTH WORKER TALKING TO INDIGENOUS MAN INDIGENOUS MAN GETTING TESTED WITH NASAL SWAB
  • Embargoed: 7th September 2021 03:05
  • Keywords: Brasilia Brazil Indigenous
  • Location: BRASILIA, BRAZIL
  • City: BRASILIA, BRAZIL
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: South America / Central America,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001ERN243R
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Hundreds of indigenous Brazilians set up tents on Monday (August 23) at Esplanade of Ministries or Central Axis in Brasilia, the heart of the country's government, awaiting the decision of a bill curtailing land rights and allowing commercial agriculture and mining on protected tribal reservations.
    On Wednesday (August 25), Brazil's Supreme Court weighs whether a state government has applied an overly narrow interpretation of indigenous rights by only recognizing tribal lands occupied by native communities at the time Brazil's constitution was ratified in 1988, setting a precedent that may affect hundreds of native land claims.
    Brazil's powerful farm lobby and far-right President Jair Bolsonaro have pushed for the bill, arguing that indigenous communities are blocking the development of the Amazon while sitting on reservations with mineral resources and agricultural promise.
    The proposal, known as PL 490, bars recognition of indigenous lands not occupied by October 1988, favouring farmers in several ongoing land disputes. The bill would also end a ban on the use of GMO crops on reservations.
    It would also allow the government to build roads and dams, tap strategic resources on reservations and allow access to the police and military without consulting indigenous communities.
    Indigenous land rights are also being debated by the Supreme Court, which is tasked with upholding constitutional guarantees.
    (Production: Adriano Machado, Sebastian Rocandio)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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