“Historic victory”: Indigenous people in Brazil shed tears over the court’s decision

Federal Supreme Court (STFOn Thursday, Brazil recognized the right of indigenous peoples to the lands they historically occupy. Activists described it as a historic victory for the indigenous people of the South American country.

There were several exciting moments at the headquarters of the Federal Supreme Court in Brasilia. A group met to support the resolution in favor of indigenous rights, Some activists cried with joy, and others even danced.

Scenes of equal emotion occurred throughout the Amazon regionWhich includes about half of Brazil’s indigenous population of 1.7 million.

“It is a victory for the struggle, a victory for rights, and a victory for our history,” celebrated indigenous MP Celia Zakariaba.

Brazil’s Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara, also celebrated what she called “Great achievement” Which was the result of years of struggle and protest.

According to the Watchman, Nine of the court’s eleven members voted against what human rights groups described “Time Limit Trick” – An attempt backed by agricultural corporations to prevent indigenous communities from claiming lands they did not actually occupy in 1988.

“This is an important and historic victory for Brazil’s indigenous peoples and a crushing defeat for the agribusiness lobby,” the institute’s director of research and advocacy said. SurvivalFiona Watson.

Only two Supreme Court ministers voted in favor of the “time frame” thesis. Which restricts indigenous land claims: Casio Nunes Márquez and André Mendonça. They were appointed to the Supreme Court by right-wing former President Jair Bolsonaro, whom activists have accused of launching a historic attack on indigenous lands by dismantling protection agencies and of anti-indigenous and anti-environmental rhetoric.

“We care about the racial dignity of a people that has been destroyed and oppressed during five centuries of history,” stressed Judge Carmen Lucía Antunes Rocha when voting against the thesis that the majority of ministers considered unconstitutional.

It was Brazilian society “unpayable debt” With the country’s indigenous populationRocha added.