Researcher Marcelo Zelic, defender of indigenous peoples, dies at 59

Researcher Marcelo Zelic, a prominent advocate for indigenous peoples' rights, passed away on May 8 at the age of 59. Zelic was a key figure in the National Truth Commission's investigations into violations against indigenous peoples. He also served as the vice-president of the Group Torture, Never Again in São Paulo, and was the coordinator for the Armazém Memória Project. Zelic's untimely death was the result of a stroke. 

Spensy Pimentel, an anthropologist and professor at the Federal University of Southern Bahia, worked closely with Zelic on the National Truth Commission's report on violations against indigenous peoples. Pimentel commended Zelic's discovery of the Figueiredo Report, a comprehensive document spanning over 7,000 pages that details numerous instances of extermination, torture, and forced displacement of indigenous communities. Many of these acts were perpetrated by federal government employees. 

According to Spensy Pimentel, there was initially reluctance among some to acknowledge the connection between the military dictatorship and the violations committed against indigenous peoples. However, thanks to the efforts of Zelic, who had a wealth of knowledge and expertise on the subject, it became abundantly clear that such a connection did indeed exist. 

The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, the National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples (FUNAI), and the Indigenous Missionary Council (Cimi) issued statements expressing their deep sorrow at the passing of Marcelo Zelic.

In a recent work, Zelic addressed the humanitarian tragedy in the Yanomami indigenous territory, demanding investigations into crimes committed between 2019 and 2022.