Rural conflict has continued to escalate in Brazil over the past year, with 35 people killed, a 75% increase from 20 homicides in 2020. This number represents the highest level since 2017.
This was denounced this Monday by the Pastoral Land Commission (CPT), which is linked to the Brazilian episcopate, in its report “Conflict in the Countryside in Brazil 2021”. The study states that among the 35 murdered, 33 were men and two were women. The CPT accuses “hired gunmen”, “agro-militiamen” and “public agents” of perpetrating these crimes.
That year there were also 27 assassination attempts, 132 death threats, and 75 recorded attacks involving multiple injuries, intimidation and humiliation, and 13 records of torture.
“These homicides are premeditated and are known to involve community leaders and unionists who oppose usurpation,” the study said.
The CPT warns that there have already been 14 killings in rural conflicts in 2022 and recalls the deaths this January of activist José Gomes, known as “Zé do Lago”, his wife Márcia Nunes Lisboa and their daughter Joane , 14, on the family estate in rural Sao Félix do Xingu, in southern Pará state.
“They were known and appreciated for their environmental work (…) After three months we still have no statement from the state regarding the investigation of the case,” they denounce.
Regarding deaths from causes other than rural conflict (which do not include homicides), 109 deaths were recorded. Of these, 101 died in Roraima state and all were indigenous Yanomami affected by the actions of illegal prospectors.
The report denounces that illegal mining is preventing communities from accessing fishing and hunting, leading to worsening illnesses and deaths from a lack of medical care. He also recalled that rural violence has increased since President Jair Bolsonaro came to power in January 2019.