Human Rights National Section/ MST
December 4, 2002

Many judicial and political measures were taken to free them, but so far none has worked. A habeas corpus was IMPETRADO in the State Court, but it was not yet judged. On November 26th many national leaders have been in Mato Grosso, trying to speed up the resolution of the case through local judges and in the State Court, as such a delay is unheard of.

Many elements in this case demonstrate how the authorities have been acting outside of the legal frame. The workers have been in jail for more than 120 days, although the law imposes a limit of 81 days before the end of the suit.

The motivation is clearly political, as the judge who ordered the imprisonment of the workers conditioned their release to the abandonment of an area in the region where 1,200 landless families are camping. In other words, there are no legal reasons for the imprisonment.

The workers are being used as exchange currency in favor of Fazenda São Paulo, a farm located in Mirassol d'Oeste (MT), and owned by a major landowner in the region, Paulo Mendonça.

Our request:

Considering the terrible and unfair situation of the workers, we appeal to all organizations, unions, parties, friends, in short all those eager for justice and liberty, to send messages to the authorities listed bellow and demand the immediate release of the eight landless workers detained in Mirassol d'Oeste (MT).

Please mention in your message the habeas corpus # 38796/02.

Jailed workers: 1. Geraldo Camilo Pereira 2. José Francisco dos Santos 3. Genadir Vieira dos Santos 4. Mauro Bento Farias 5. José Martins Neves 6. Gulmercino Rodrigues de Oliveira 7. Ana Maria dos Reis 8. Alberto Gonçalves de Oliveira

Send messages to: Fórum da Comarca de Mirassol D'Oeste (City Court of Justice) Judge Luís Augusto Veras Gadelha Fax: +55 (65) 241-1391 mirassol@tj.mt.gov.br

Tribunal de Justiça do Mato Grosso (State Court of Justice) Chief Judge Donato Fortunato Ojeda Fax: +55 (65) 617-3000

Governador do Estado do Mato Grosso (State Governor) Ronaldo Salles Fax: +55 (65) 613-4130 rogeriosalles@cepromat.com.br

We send a tight hug to all of you, with our deep thanks. 

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