STF ordered investigation into the alleged crime of genocide by the Bolsonaro government against indigenous people

The Justice of the Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) Luís Roberto Barroso ordered on Monday (30) the opening of an investigation against officials of the former government of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) for the alleged crime of genocide of indigenous peoples.

It will also be investigated alleged crimes of disobedience, breach of judicial secrecy, and environmental crimes related to the life, health, and safety of indigenous communities.

The order was sent to the Prosecutor General of the Republic (PGR), the Military Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Justice and Public Safety, and the Regional Superintendence of the Federal Police of Roraima.

The Court informed that Barroso determined the forwarding to the authorities of documents that “suggest a picture of absolute insecurity of the indigenous peoples involved, as well as the occurrence of action or omission, partial or total, on the part of federal authorities, aggravating this situation.

The Justice cited examples of government actions, such as the publication in the Official Gazette of the Union, by the then Minister of Justice Anderson Torres, the date and place of the secret operation of intervention on indigenous land.

According to him, the facts presented illustrate a “very serious and worrisome picture”, as well as the alleged practice of multiple illicit acts, with the participation of high federal authorities.

Barroso reiterated the order to remove all illegal mines from the Yanomami, Karipuna, Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau, Kayapó, Arariboia, Mundurucu, and Trincheira Bacajá Indigenous Lands.

The Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) filed the lawsuit.

In the dispatch, the minister determines that the areas in the most serious situation should be prioritized.

He pointed out that the previously adopted strategy of “suffocating” the logistics of these mines has not produced effects, the STF reported.

Barroso also considered that these facts might relate to the Yanomami Land’s humanitarian crisis.

On the 20th, the Ministry of Health declared a state of emergency to combat the lack of health care that affects the ethnic group.

According to the government, the health crisis has resulted in the death of 570 children due to malnutrition and health issues in recent years.

The Regional Superintendence of the Federal Police in Roraima should be informed about the episodes reported in the investigation due to the possible existence of relevant information to the investigation in which the practice of crime of genocide and omission of aid against the Yanomami population is investigated.

The minister gave the Lula da Silva government 30 calendar days to present a diagnosis of the situation of indigenous communities, planning, and respective schedule for implementing decisions pending compliance.

In addition, the magistrate ordered that information on indigenous health be made available on DataSUS, following the orientation of the Thematic Group on Indigenous Health, composed of the Brazilian Association of Collective Health (Abrasco) and the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz).

With information from Gazeta do Povo