Continuous Update on the Situation of the Karipuna people of Rondônia by Adriano Karipuna, Indigenous Leader

Update #2
January 2023

Adriano Karipuna, Indigenous Leader of the Karipuna people who inhabit Indigenous territory in the Brazilian Amazon, has been tirelessly calling attention to his homeland's rampant invasion and destruction. Land grabbing by extractive industries facilitated and encouraged by Bolsonaro's government has exposed these people's bodies, land and livelihood to unthinkable violence.

Since Lula da Silva's election, we've been expecting to hear good news about the situation of the Karipuna. But despite all the successes achieved with Lula's victory, Adriano's messages are still filled with alarm and revolt. As reported by the Indigenous Missionary Council, CIMI, an organization that, along with Greenpeace Brazil, has been monitoring and denouncing the cries for help of the region's Indigenous peoples,

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according to the local Indigenous leaders, some progress has been made in the Karipuna's land, but not nearly enough to guarantee permanent and adequate protection on Indigenous Karipuna territory. (...)

In a recent article by Vinicius Valentin Raduan Miguel and Adriano Karipuna in Agência Bori, the authors explain the gravity and complexity of the situation:

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Currently, both the Union and the State of Rondônia know about the vulnerability of the Karipuna People, just as they know the same is true about other Indigenous Peoples here in the Amazon.

Dozens of formal reports, communications by civil society organizations and even determinations by the Federal Public Ministry are proof of this.

There are Uncontacted Peoples that live isolated from the surrounding community. This fact has already been made clear to the FUNAI (National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples), the Federal Public Ministry and the Federal Police.

We are concerned about the constant replacement of public officers, the lack of commitment from the state agents who should foster public and collaborative planning, and the institutional incapacity shown by the public security apparatus, so far incapable of dismantling and holding accountable a tremendous scheme of invasion, land grabbing, deforestation and illegal exploitation of the Karipuna territories. These denouncements, which carry significant risks for the physical and psychological integrity of the Indigenous People, have also been made to international entities and the press.

by Vinicius Valentin Raduan Miguel and Adriano Karipuna in Agência Bori

It's critical to create an Ethno-development project for transfer of income, consolidation of water use and food security, especially with the current decline of the food supply resulting from the criminal intrusion in the region. Another issue that urges addressing is a comprehensive healthcare program.

Fulfilling the human rights of the Indigenous Peoples of the whole Amazon should be an immediate ethical and normative imperative. Opposition to genocide means immediate action and no more delays or useless speeches. This is an urgent duty. 

by Vinicius Valentin Raduan Miguel and Adriano Karipuna in Agência Bori

Update #1
December 2022

Read the first-hand account by the Indigenous leader of the Karipuna people, Adriano Karipuna, about his threatened Indigenous territory in Brazil.

A few months ago, Adriano Karipuna was a guest on our interview series "Connecting the Dots". Adriano is an Indigenous leader of the Karipuna people, whose Indigenous territory is within the Brazilian state of Rondônia.

After bouncing back from having their population nearly extinguished by the first contact with expeditions in the 1970s that brought illnesses for which they had no immunity, the reality of the situation on the ground today is dire.

Numerous reports extensively document how the policies of Jair Bolsonaro's government have compromised Indigenous rights and led to a culture of impunity regarding attacks on Indigenous Peoples and their territories.

This is what the Karipuna People have been experiencing: their territory increasingly invaded by illegal loggers and deforested at an alarming rate, set on fire, and grabbed with impunity.

Despite the hardships and the terror inflicted on these communities, their courage to stand up and defend their way of life, culture, and a territory that harbors a vital ecosystem for our planet is awe-inspiring.

Adriano wants the world to know and think about what's happening. He believes this situation can only be reversed by raising the pressure on the Brazilian government to fulfill its duty to protect Indigenous Peoples.

Adriano has been keeping in touch with us and is counting on our support to spread the word and talk about the situation on Karipuna land and his fight to protect it:

 Adriano's own words are the most fitting to finish this update. Here's a translation of his statement to Survival International:

"Everyday, invaders are destroying and burning the Karipuna's forest, and threatening isolated Peoples that live in our Territory. I hope all of you can help us - now! It must come immediately, not later. Help must come now. The biggest threat to the Karipuna and to isolated Peoples is being killed by the invaders. The invasions have been increasing. And we, along with the isolated Peoples, have no protection whatsoever. We need help to ensure that the Brazilian government fulfils its role of protecting our Territory. Of guaranteeing our physical safety, our territorial safety. Both our physical integrity and the physical integrity of our forest. They have been saying that they will take our land because "Indigenous Peoples don't need land."  Some people say that "there's too much land for Indigenous Peoples", that "Indigenous Peoples are not developed." But for us, development means keeping the forest standing. You don't protect the environment by destroying the forest, the rivers and biodiversity. Biodiversity means life. And there's life in our forest: Indigenous Peoples, the animals, the trees, the fish. Indigenous Peoples are our only hope for a better world."

by Adriano Karipuna