Brazilian Congress weakens indigenous land rights with new bill

In a cabinet meeting in April last year, Brazil’s Environment Minister Ricardo Salles — who resigned yesterday under pressure from a pair of criminal investigations for allegedly using his office to benefit illegal loggers —  urged the government to take advantage of the undivided press attention on the Covid-19 pandemic to “run the cattle herd” through the Amazon, “changing all of the rules and simplifying standards.”

While Mr. Salles did not expect his remarks made during a behind-closed-doors meeting to become public knowledge, his department has done precisely that. Researchers at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro showed that the Environment Ministry enacted 57 legislative measures during Mr. Salles’ term that weakened preservation laws and favored agricultural interests — the vast majority of these being approved during the pandemic.

Bill 490, to alter rules for demarcating indigenous territories, looks set to be Mr. Salles’ parting shot. Described by experts as being the biggest threat to indigenous communities since the military dictatorship (1964-1985), the proposal was approved by the lower house’s Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) on Wednesday evening — but not without a fight.

Hundreds of indigenous protesters have gathered in Brasília over the last two weeks, and the mood became tense on Tuesday when demonstrators allegedly threatened to storm the Congress building. Groups were met with tear gas and rubber bullets, as the capital’s public security authorities sent riot squads to crush the native demonstrations.

Three indigenous people were taken to hospital after inhaling tear gas, while a police officer and Congress employee were treated for injuries after being shot with arrows fired by protesters. 

Since the indigenous protesters set up camp outside Congress, Bill 490 has been added and removed from the CCJ agenda twice, precisely due to the demonstrations. The proposal was finally analyzed on Wednesday, with the House of Representatives guarded by a heavy police presence.

The CCJ approved Bill 490 by 40 votes to 21. It will now move...