Brazil revisits law restricting Indigenous land claims amid rising violence

Indigenous communities in Brazil face increasing violence as the Supreme Court reviews a controversial law limiting land rights based on occupation before 1988.

Maxwell Radwin reports for Mongabay.

In short:

• The Brazilian Supreme Court is reconsidering a law that restricts Indigenous land claims to territories occupied before 1988.
• Critics argue the law is unjust, as many Indigenous groups were forcibly displaced before that date and now face conflicts with farmers and developers.
• Violence against Indigenous communities has surged, with over 200 murders reported in the past year alone.

Key quote:

“We need to guarantee that Indigenous lands are demarcated and protected in order to combat climate change.”

— Kleber Karipuna, executive director, Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil.

Why this matters:

The law threatens Indigenous land rights, fueling violence and undermining efforts to protect critical biodiversity and combat climate change.

Related: Indigenous land rights crucial for climate success