outubro, 08 2024

By WWF-Brazil 

The signing of the declaratory ordinance for the Sawré Muybu Indigenous Land (PA), belonging to the Munduruku people, is a historic victory on the struggle for the protection of Indigenous rights and the Amazon rainforest. The decision, announced by Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski on September 25th, represents a significant step forward, though it must be acknowledged that many Indigenous peoples still await the recognition of their lands. This is an urgent matter that has been addressed with unacceptable delays. 

Covering an area of 178,173 hectares, the Sawré Muybu territory is located in one of the most pressured regions of the Amazon, within the municipalities of Itaituba and Trairão in the state of Pará. The area has been under constant threat from land grabbers, illegal miners, and loggers. According to data from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), more than 60% of the Munduruku population show high levels of mercury contamination. This situation stresses the urgency of land demarcation as not only a tool for territorial protection but also for public health and environmental sustainability. 

The demarcation comes at a critical moment, marked by the debate over the "temporal milestone", a controversial and unconstitutional legal thesis that seeks to restrict Indigenous land rights to the territories they occupied at the time of the promulgation of the 1988 Constitution. The decision to officially recognize Sawré Muybu is a reaffirmation of Indigenous constitutional rights. Demarcations are essential not only for securing these rights but also for preserving ancestral ways of life, cultures, and a sustainable relationship with the forest. 

Indigenous peoples play a fundamental role as guardians of the forests. They possess deep knowledge of the ecosystems they inhabit, maintaining sustainable management and preservation practices that are passed down from generation to generation. Areas under Indigenous management have significantly lower rates of deforestation and environmental degradation. 

The slow recognition of Indigenous lands constitutes a violation of rights, leaving communities vulnerable to threats, killings, assaults, invasions, and environmental degradation. 

A Future for the Next Generations of Indigenous Territories 

The demarcation of Indigenous territories reaffirms Brazil's commitment to protecting its biodiversity and strengthening its role in the global fight against climate change, particularly as the country prepares to host the Climate Conference in 2025 (COP 30). With progress in recognizing these lands, Brazil can signal to the world its return to a leadership role in the climate agenda, positioning itself strategically in the international debate on climate justice and human rights. 

According to the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (FUNAI), 44 Indigenous territories are still awaiting the issuance of declaratory ordinances by the Minister of Justice. The pressure to exploit natural resources in these areas remains high, including harassment from companies trading carbon credits. Moreover, infrastructure projects with potential impacts on Indigenous peoples continue to advance without proper consultation with local populations. 

The commitment to protecting Indigenous territories must be continuous, comprehensive, and accompanied by guarantees of security for the leaders, who, as seen on previous occasions, are at risk due to their defense of their rights. The victory at Sawré Muybu is a cause for celebration but also a reminder that the fight for the preservation of a living forest and Indigenous rights is ongoing. WWF-Brazil recognizes the value of Indigenous struggles and their achievements, not only as a constitutional duty but as a historical and environmental responsibility. 

"Sawé, Munduruku!"