Protest by Indians closes railroad in Maranhão

Criado em 05/07/13 09h58 e atualizado em 05/07/13 10h05
Por Luciano Nascimento Fonte:Agencia Brasil

Brasilia – Some 150 members of seven different indigenous groups in the state of Maranhão have blocked the Carajás railroad that runs from Brazil’s largest iron ore deposits, which are mined by the Vale corporation, to the port of São Luis.

The Indians are protesting the precarious health care assistance they receive and demand the removal of the directors of the indigenous health care provider (“Distrito Sanitário Especial Indígena – Dsei”). This governmental agency, the Dsei, was established in 2010 to be responsible for providing health care to indigenous populations within the framework of the country’s Unified Public Health System (“SUS”).

The railroad was blocked at a point 283 kilometers from the capital of the state of Maranhão, which is also the port where Vale exports millions of tons of iron ore annually (Vale is the world’s biggest iron ore mining company; followed by two Anglo-Australian firms, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto. The three companies control over 65% of world iron ore commerce).

Meanwhile, another indigenous group of some 300 Indians continue to occupy the National Health Foundation (“Fundação Nacional de Saúde – Funasa”), building in São Luis that they invaded on June 24. The Indians claim that Funasa does not pay attention to their grievances or provide them with adequate health care. At the same time, they blame Dsei for most of the health problems that exist in Indian villages in the state of Maranhão.

Members of the Krenjê, Tenetehara, Awá-Guajá, Apãniekra, Ramkokramekra, Gavião and Krikati indigenous groups are participating in the protests. Marinete Guajajara, one of the leaders, put the problem this way: “We were back in our villages without a solution, so we decided to block the railroad. It is the only way to get the government’s attention.”

Aécio Amado / Nira Foster
Translator: Allen Bennett