[12/15/06] MST conducted 45% more land occupations under Lula, according to CPT

[12/15/06] MST conducted 45% more land occupations under Lula, according to CPT

According to Brazil’s Pastoral Land Commission (CPT), the MST conducted 45% more land occupations during the first four years of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s presidency, when compared to the second four-year term of ex-president Fernando Henrique Cardoso (FHC).

Between January of 2003 and December 15th of 2006, 992 land occupations occurred. In contrast, 683 land occupations were registered between 1999 and 2002. In 2006, the MST conducted 229 occupations.

“Land occupations have always existed in Brazil as they represent a legitimate social response to a society with extreme inequalities. A society in which 1.6% of property owners, close to 35,000 families, hold 46.78% of all lands,