As part of International Human Rights Day, the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA) participated in the presentation of the document “Violence against Indigenous Peoples in Brazil. Summary of Data 2024”, held on December 10 in the Archdiocese of Porto Velho, Brazil.
The event was organized by the Indigenous Missionary Council (CIMI – Rondônia Regional) and was attended by more than 40 people, including representatives of indigenous peoples, the Federal University of Rondônia (UNIR), the Federal Public Ministry, religious life, civil society organizations, and leaders of the Catholic Church. The event was moderated by Sister Laura Vicuña and broadcast live on Radio Caiari FM.
Among those present were the Archbishop of Porto Velho, Monsignor Roque Paloschi, and Cardinal Pedro Barreto, president of CEAMA, accompanied by advisors to the Conference, reaffirming the commitment of the Amazonian Church to the defense of human rights and the lives of indigenous peoples.
A report denouncing persistent violence
The presentation of the report was marked by the presentation of data and a collective reflection on the serious reality faced by indigenous peoples in Brazil. Despite advances in visibility, the document shows that violations continue to occur systematically.
The report analyzes 19 categories of violence, organized into three main areas:
- Violence against indigenous heritage
- Violence against individuals
- Violence resulting from the failure of the State and public authorities to act
It also includes a specific analysis of threats to indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation and delves into issues such as:
- Structural racism against indigenous peoples
- Indigenous policy from a budgetary perspective
- Indigenous rights in the criminal justice system
- The struggle for justice, memory, and truth in the face of historical violations
The prophetic voice of the Amazonian Church
During his speech, Cardinal Pedro Barreto emphasized the importance of a committed and coordinated Church in the Amazon, highlighting the impetus given by Pope Francis and continued by Pope Leo XIV, especially through the Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network (REPAM) and CEAMA.
The cardinal recalled that CEAMA is a historic novelty in the Church, as it is the first Ecclesial Conference where bishops, religious life, laity, and indigenous peoples walk together as the People of God. In this sense, he reaffirmed that CEAMA’s mission is to listen to the cries of the Amazon and defend the human rights of those who inhabit the territory, particularly in the face of the violence that continues to affect indigenous peoples.
Recalling the words of Pope Francis in Puerto Maldonado (2018), he emphasized that indigenous peoples are “guardians of our common home” and that the Amazonian territory is a sacred territory that must be protected.
Commitment to denunciation and mobilization
The day concluded with a shared call to keep the prophetic denunciation alive, strengthen social mobilization, and demand that the rights of indigenous peoples be effectively guaranteed, in fidelity to the Gospel and socio-environmental justice.
The following participated in the presentation:
- Monsignor Roque Paloschi, Archbishop of Porto Velho
- Cardinal Pedro Barreto, President of CEAMA
- Professor Marilsa Miranda, Federal University of Rondônia (UNIR)
- Antenor Karitiana, leader of the Karitiana indigenous people
- Dr. Leonardo Trevisiani, Attorney General of the Federal Public Ministry