AMERICA/BRAZIL - 9 other peasants killed in an agrarian conflict

Saturday, 22 April 2017 human rights   indigenous   farmers  

Mato Grosso (Agenzia Fides) - Nine people killed. This is the toll of the last massacre caused by an agricultural conflict in Brazil. The massacre occurred a few days ago in a settlement in the municipality of Colniza, about 1000 km from Cuiabá, but the news was only released yesterday, April 21st.
The Pastoral Land Commission (CPT) said it was a new massacre of poor peasants, victims of criminal gangs sent and paid by leaders of large companies in the region in order to intimidate and, if necessary kill small agricultural entrepreneurs and peasants. Only a few days ago, the report on violence in the area was published: "Conflicts in the countryside of Brazil 2016" (See Fides 19/04/2017).
Mato Grosso Public Security Bureau confirmed the tragedy, pointing out that the massacre was carried out by a group of "hooded" men. The army was sent to the site because it is a difficult place to access in a region inhabited by about 100 families. According to the latest survey conducted by the Pastoral Land Commission (CPT), there are 6,601 families in Mato Grosso who live in areas of agricultural conflicts, most of which are located in Xingu National Park, in the municipalities of Querencia, Canarana and São Felix do Araguaia. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 22/04/2017)


Share: