SOURCE: CPT, Cáritas, CJP, MST, MTST
DATE: Belém, 19 February 2002

Below is a joint letter sent to authorities in Brazil by the CPT, Cáritas, CJP, MST and MTST. Please write to the addresses below to demand the immediate release of political prisoners in the state of Para.

To:

Honorable Governor Almir Gabriel
Special Secretary for Social Defense Paulo Sette Camara
Military Police Commander Marcos Calandrini
High Court Justice Chairwoman Dr. Cleminie Pontes

We demand the release of the 14 rural landless workers imprisoned 28 January 2002 in Aurora do Pará, of the six homeless workers imprisoned 14 February 02, and of the five members of the Ananindeua Occupation Movement, our partners, jailed 19 Feb 02. All 25 of these men and women are being held in circumstances that violate their human rights: some of those held are injured, without access to adequate treatment, and some were taken from their homes without even knowing why they were being arrested.

The 14 landless workers were jailed in Aurora do Pará just after the public prosecutor had issued an opinion in favor of their release, but the judge showed no interest in granting our companions their freedom.

Unfortunately, this has been the general position of the judiciary in cases of agrarian conflict. The attitude of many judges consistently leans in favor of the claims of large landowners and plantation operators.

The state and justice system act in no differently toward homeless workers. The treatment the 11 itinerants received was similar to that of the landworkers, when one considers the brutality of the police and the arbitrariness of the jailing. As in the previous cases, the attitude of the judges and of the justice system in general supports the interests of the supposed owners of property.

Human rights bodies REJECT the state's action against the workers, both rural and urban. The violence is repeated from year to year. In 2001 there were eight killings in the countryside and thousands of workers were forced from their homes.

We do not agree with, and do not accept the disgraceful position of the state. We reject all cases where workers have become victims of arbitrary acts and violence at the hands of the military police.

We urge the resumption of dialog between the state (executive), the judiciary, and the workers. We demand a far-reaching urban and agrarian reform process so that PEACE can be re-established and the workers can live in dignity.

Please send letters to:

Secretary of Public Safety
Sr. Paulo Sette Câmara
Address: Alcipreste Manoel Teodoro, 305.
66023-700 - Belém-PA
Fax: (91) 213-3766; 213-3628; 213-3634; 225-2720.
imprensa@prodepa.gov.br

Governor:
Almir Gabriel
Rodovia Augusto Montenegro, Km 10 s/n
66820-000 - Belém-PA
www.governodopara.pa.gov.br

High Court Justice and Court Chairwoman, Dr. Cleminie Pontes
des.climenie.pontes@tj.pa.gov.br