Rapporteur of the time frame of indigenous lands mocks critics and sees Marina Silva’s “Shiite” posture

Deputy Arthur Maia (União Brasil-BA), rapporteur for the project for the time frame of demarcation of indigenous lands in the Chamber, made ironic comments this Sunday (11) in relation to critics of the project. He reaffirmed his support for the proposal, which is under analysis in the Senate, as a way to “restore order” in the country. In a post on her Twitter profile, Maia shared a video in which three people, supposedly indigenous, are seen throwing stones at a tapir. He claimed the images show “evil” rather than livelihood-oriented activity.

The deputy also questioned whether international activists such as Greta Thunberg, Mark Ruffalo and Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as the Minister of the Environment, Marina Silva, would comment on this action. In another post made earlier, he called Marina a “Shiite” and highlighted her intention to use IBAMA as a “weapon against economic growth”. In addition, Maia, who also chairs the Joint Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPMI) on January 8, invited critics of the time frame to reflect on the current indigenous reality. He questioned whether these communities depend only on hunting and fishing on their land, noting that their members buy food at the market and receive basic food baskets from the government.

The proposed timeframe establishes that only lands occupied by indigenous communities on October 5, 1988, when the Constitution was enacted, can be demarcated. The project reported by Maia was approved by the Chamber on May 30, with contrary votes from parties allied to the government. The ruralist group was in favor of the proposal, arguing that the demarcations threaten productive land. If the project is approved with changes in the Senate, it will return to the House for analysis. The issue is also being judged by the Federal Supreme Court (STF), which was interrupted and postponed after Minister André Mendonça asked for more time for analysis.