Army calls for respect for indigenous people amid Yanomami crisis – 01/30/2023 – Panel

In the midst of the Yanomami crisis, the Army published on Friday (27) an update of an ordinance from 20 years ago regarding the military’s relationship with indigenous communities.

The Lula government (PT) declared a public health emergency on the 20th, after the president received images of indigenous people with severe malnutrition. He paid a visit to Roraima the next day, which highlighted the explosion in cases of malnutrition, diseases associated with hunger (such as diarrhea and respiratory infections) and malaria in Yanomami territory.

The military has been the target of criticism for leniency or even participation in the current Yanomami crisis. Report by Sheet showed that Funai reports pointed to military corrupted by illegal mining in the Yanomami Indigenous Land.

In relation to the previous version, from 2003, the text, called “Guideline for the Brazilian Army’s relationship with indigenous communities”, recommends, among other points, that family members of military personnel who accompany them on missions with indigenous communities also develop the attitude to know and respect the habits, customs and traditions of the local people.

“It is important that all military personnel, especially those who will have direct contact with indigenous communities, know and respect their habits, customs and traditions, in order to make coexistence with indigenous peoples harmonious and profitable for the Land Force throughout
the national territory. It is also recommended that the family members of these military personnel accompanying them
develop the same attitude”, says the text.

Harmful effects of military and indigenous contacts are frequently reported. In 2020, a report by UOL showed that military women used make-up, gave them clothes and caused crowds of Yanomamis during the peak of Covid-19.

In addition, the ordinance emphasizes the need to include content about indigenous peoples in the military curriculum. The text is signed by General Valério Stumpf Trindade, Chief of Staff of the Army.

As a novelty, the text talks about stimulating scientific production on matters related to indigenous peoples and their communities’ relationship with the Army and supporting the organization of internships in the EAD modality (distance learning) for military personnel assigned to serve in areas with indigenous communities.

The Army ordinance also abandons the term “indigenous”, replacing it with “indigenous”, defended by native peoples, and maintains the 2003 recommendation to incorporate young people from indigenous communities into its ranks.

On a recommendation to its social communication center, the Army requests constant follow-up in order to map issues related to dealing with “indigenous communities that may impact the image and reputation of the Force.”

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