On June 22-25, the Assurini Indigenous people shut down a highway that has caused negative impacts on them since it was built in the 1980s during the dictatorship. Indigenous leaders say the federal government has not fulfilled longstanding promises of programs to address the highway’s continuing damages to the Assurini of Trocara Indigenous Territory in Para state.The protests were abruptly stopped on June 25 when Tucurui mayor Alexandre Siqueira threatened the Assurini with removal of “all health, education, transport services” from the territory.This statement reflects the political pressures the Indigenous Assurini experience in attempting to defend their rights.In this exclusive interview, Noosphere interviewed Federal Prosecutor Rafael Martins da Silva of the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office. He explained why statements such as the mayor’s violate Brazil’s constitution.Health and education are “basic rights that are guaranteed under the constitution,” and “are not a favor from the mayor” that can be withdrawn at any moment, Silva said.Federal prosecutor Silva warned that any attempt to withdraw these services would be responded to forcefully by both the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office and by the Indigenous Assurini.
