JN / Agencies
Today at 10:18–
An official at the National Indian Foundation (Funai), an organ for the protection of indigenous peoples in Brazil, died on Wednesday, struck by an arrow fired by isolated indigenous people living in the Amazon.
Rieli Franciscato, 56, who dedicated himself for more than three decades to the protection of isolated Indians in Brazil, was coordinator of the Ethno-Environmental Protection Front “Uru Eu Wau Wau” and died shortly after being hit by an arrow in the chest, in city of Seringueiras, in the Amazonian state of Rondônia. The authorities explained to the local press that the specialist was, at the time, participating in a mission in the region to check the existence and possible recent contact of a group of indigenous people who live in isolation with local residents.
“Rieli dedicated his life to the indigenous cause. With more than three decades of services provided in the area, he leaves an immense legacy for the policy of protecting these peoples,” said the general coordinator of Isolated Indians at Funai, Ricardo Lopes Dias, in a note of regret.
According to the non-governmental organization (NGO) “Kanindé”, Franciscato was a reference in the efforts to protect peoples from Brazil and a staunch defender of the total absence of contact between non-indigenous people and isolated indigenous people in the country.
The indigenist also acted on several occasions to avoid conflicts between the indigenous and the local population of Seringueiras, according to the NGO, who added that the isolated peoples of Brazil “are in danger”, but “do not know who their defenders are”.
NGO attributes death to pressure on forests
The NGO “Survival International” attributed the death of the specialist to pressure from loggers and farmers on Brazilian forests. “The isolated Indians may well have confused Rieli, one of his closest allies, with one of his many enemies who threaten his survival. They have been pushed to the limit and there is only one solution: to protect their territory from all invasions so that can survive and thrive, “the NGO said in a statement.
“The last thing Rieli would like is for the Brazilian government and the invaders to use his death as an excuse to reach the ‘Uru Eu Wau Wau’ territory even more aggressively, or to make forced contact with the isolated Indians. That would be fatal and any attempts would face immediate opposition from indigenous peoples and their allies around the world, “he added.
According to the organization, most of the forest around the reserve where Franciscato was hit was destroyed and occupied by farmers and loggers, who are also trying to reach the reserve itself. Last year, several fires were started inside and outside the reserve, and this year, farmers threatened to burn an even larger area.
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