Brasília, November 18, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - All the conflicts in indigenous lands in Brazil have their roots in the historic disrespect for the Indians' culture and territory. This conclusion is part of the report of the 8th Human Rights Caravan, composed of members of the Human Rights Commission of the Chamber of Deputies. During 10 days in October, the caravan visited Indian villages and reservations in the states of Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Rondônia, Roraima, Pernambuco, Bahia, and Santa Catarina.

According to the report, disrespect for Indians has been practiced in Brazil since the discovery, up to the present day. The example cited by the legislators is that of the Cintalarga nation, in the Roosevelt reservation, in Roraima. The first contact between whites and the Cintalargas occurred at the beginning of the decade of the '70's. At that time around 5 thousand Indians lived in the reservation. There are currently only 1,400 of them left.

The Human Rights Commission's report also portrays the situation in the areas of Health, Security, Education, and Environment. The document shows how the Funai (National Indian Foundation) operates in the country's indigenous areas. Finally, the report presents recommendations to the Presidency of the Republic, the Funai, the Federal Supreme Court, the National Congress, the governments of the states involved, and the Federal Public Interest Defenders Office, to improve the living conditions of Brazil's Indians. (DAS)