Marcela Rebelo
Repórter da Agência Brasil

Brasília – Representatives of indigenous leaders who participated in the 3rd Free Land Camp (3º Acampamento Terra Livre) participated in public hearings yesterday at the Senate Human Rights Commission.

Following the hearings the Indians delivered a letter to the president of the Senate,
Renan Calheiros (PMDB-AL), expressing concern with legislation that threatens their rights. "There are a lot of bills in Congress that menace our constitutional rights, especially territorial rights," said the letter.

Of special concern is a constitutional amendment in the Senate that would transfer the demarcation process from the executive branch to the legislature. That, in the eyes of the Indians, would place the process at the mercy of local political and economic interests.

Translation: Allen Bennett