The incident was reported on the website of the Rural Landless’ Workers Movement (MST) a few
months ago, but the situation seems to remain unchanged.

An article published on August 31 by Radioagencia NP revealed that a court of Para ordered special protection measures for the rural workers under death threat in that conflictive zone of Brazil.

According to this report, the most serious case reported in the recent weeks is that of leader
Raimundo Belmiro. A local businessman reportedly offered nearly 50,000 US dollars for his
murder. “There are countless leaders under threat in this State”, says Radioagencia NP.

Besides, the state authorities received a communication from the Federal Attorney’s Office (MPF) expressing its concern over the vulnerable situation of the family and relatives of Zé Cláudio Ribeiro and Maria do Espírito Santo, who were murdered in May in Nova Ipixuna, where they were settled.

A press release issued by the Pastoral Land Commission (CPT) says the family of the couple are
making a big effort to demand the clarification of both murders amid an investigation that has been filled with irregularities.

The judiciary’s failure to act enabled the main suspects to flee Para, according to reports of local
organizations. “As a result of the judiciary’s failure to act, the family began a campaign to push the authorities” says the CPT, referring to the meetings held with ministers in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, and in Belem, the state’s capital.

Some of the demands included to bring the cause to the federal justice because of the potential
pressure suffered by the judges of Para. While impunity continues to take place, the mounting
figures of agrarian conflicts and murders of leaders in this Brazilian region are becoming more and more concerning.

Photo: www.cpt.org.br