Indigenous people demand broad investigation of Dom and Bruno’s murder
One year after the murder of indigenous activist Bruno Pereira and British journalist Dom Phillips in Vale do Javari, in the state of Amazonas, the main demands of the indigenous population for a more thorough investigation into the crime and for public policies that guarantee local security still remain on their agenda.
Vale do Javari, the second largest indigenous land in Brazil, is located in the municipalities of Atalaia do Norte and Guajará. This amazonian region is home to the world's largest concentration of isolated peoples, encompassing 64 villages with 26 communities and about 6,300 individuals. It faces numerous challenges such as illegal fishing, logging, and drug trafficking.
The legal attorney for the Union of Indigenous Peoples of Vale do Javari (Univaja), Eliesio Marubo, says the investigation should be comprehensive and not just focus on the perpetrators of the crime, but on the agents who support predatory activities in this area.
"It is necessary to investigate the group that gives political support to those illegal activities and the path of the crime so that we can guarantee the safety of the region, not only for the indigenous land but also for the surrounding population," says Marubo.
The attorney further calls for enhanced coordination among government policies to establish sustainable and permanent security measures for the native populations in this state. He expresses disappointment that proposed measures discussed during the government transition period have not yet been implemented, leaving the region more vulnerable.
Agreement
Joenia Wapichana, the head of the National Indigenous Peoples Foundation FUNAI, stresses the importance of reinforcing existing structures and establishing a more enduring policy in the region. To this end, the agency is working on a cooperation agreement with indigenous organizations and seeks collaboration from the entire government. Last Friday (Jun. 2), the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples formed a working group comprising representatives from the executive, judiciary, and indigenous communities to combat crime in Vale do Javari.
Justice
It was Dom and Bruno's pursuit of evidence against criminals that ultimately led to their deaths. Rubens Villar Pereira, the businessman suspected of being the mastermind behind the crime, was released on bail in October of last year, paying BRL 15,000.
Presently, three individuals—Amarildo da Costa Oliveira, Oseney da Costa Oliveira, and Jefferson da Silva Lima—are in prison, awaiting trial on accusations of participation in the murders.
Additionally, former Funai head Marcelo Xavier and former deputy head Alcir Amaral Teixeira have been indicted for their alleged omissions in the case. The Federal Police contends that Funai failed to take appropriate action despite being aware of the risks faced by indigenous activist Bruno Pereira.
*In collaboration with TV Brasil
