Yanomamis: Apib goes to STF against pro-mining senator – 03/02/2023 – Mônica Bergamo

The Articulação dos Povos Indígenas do Brasil (Apib) called the Federal Supreme Court (STF) asking that Senator Chico Rodrigues (PSB-RR) be questioned and provide clarification on his visit to the Yanomami Indigenous Land on the 20th.

The entity wants the parliamentarian to show that he has presented proof of a complete vaccination schedule, including against Covid, a negative test result for the coronavirus, carried out up to 24 hours before the visit, and a medical evaluation certificate that proves that he is not infected with contagious diseases.

Apib filed the petition under the ADPF (Argument of Non-compliance with Fundamental Precept) 709. The action brings together demands in favor of the rights of indigenous peoples and has Minister Luís Roberto Barroso as rapporteur.

Rodrigues is a supporter of mining on indigenous lands. On the 15th, he was elected chairman of the Senate’s temporary commission on the situation of the Yanomami, which sparked protests from indigenous organizations such as the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR).

Five days after the nomination, the senator paid a visit to the territory of indigenous peoples. The following day, Funai (National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples) pointed out irregularities in the trip. According to the foundation, the entry of the parliamentarian in the territory did not follow the recommendations in a joint ordinance of the body and Sesai (Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health), of the Ministry of Health.

Funai informed the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples about the circumstances of the visit, carried out in violation of the rules in force in the emergency situation –declared a month ago by the Lula government due to the health crisis in the territory– and against demonstrations by indigenous organizations.

In the document sent to Barroso, Apib criticizes the appointment of the parliamentarian to the commission. “The senator, when moving to the Yanomami Indigenous Land without any work plan in the indigenous territory, reveals his total political and technical inability to be at the head of this commission, configuring himself as a disservice to the Yanomami indigenous peoples and generating an evil collective being in Brazilian society”.

As shown to Sheet, Rodrigues flew over the indigenous land and was in Surucucu, at the health unit that concentrates care for indigenous people in the region, according to information from the parliamentary advisory. The senator entered the area by means of an Army aircraft, according to the press office.

“He doesn’t need authorization from Funai or COE [Centro de Operação de Emergências, criado para atuar na crise]. I was with the Army,” said the adviser to Sheet. “There was a flight over the mining region, and then he went to Surucucu, where they landed. The trip was so that the senator could have a diagnosis of the problem, in order to guide the commission’s work.”

Defender of mining in indigenous lands, Chico Rodrigues was once deputy leader of the government of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) in the Senate. When he held the post, he was caught by the PF (Federal Police) with money in his underwear. The police pointed out suspicion of diversion of resources destined to face the pandemic.

The MP denies the allegations. He said he was the victim of “mockery” and “conceit”.

_{with BIANKA VIEIRA, KARINA MATIAS It is MANOELLA SMITH}

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