“Human Rights Watch statement on attacks against Munduruku indigenous leaders”, 26 May 2021

...Human Rights Watch condemns the attacks perpetrated by groups involved in illegal mining against Munduruku Indigenous leaders in the state of Pará on May 26, 2021. According to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office (MPF), armed miners operating in the region raided the Fazenda Tapajós village in Jacareacanga and set several houses on fire. One of them belonged to Maria Leusa Munduruku, a prominent opponent of illegal mining and coordinator of the Wakoborũn Munduruku Women’s Association. Local Indigenous leaders informed the MPF that a group of miners was preparing to attack other villages. Several leaders have also received threats, a local source told Human Rights Watch. The attacks against Indigenous leaders are taking place as miners also seek to obstruct a major deployment of police, agents from the federal environmental enforcement agency Ibama and the National Force to curb illegal mining in the Indigenous territories Munduruku and Sai Cinza. Local authorities reportedly supported miners’ efforts to undermine law enforcement. The operation follows a decision by Brazil’s highest court requiring the government to immediately protect Yanomami and Munduruku Indigenous peoples, after a petition submitted by the civil society organization Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB)...