Politics · Brazil · 2 hrs ago
Terena people report threats and racism during Brazil election runoff
Terena people in Mato Grosso do Sul reported threats and intimidation during the second round of Brazil’s presidential election.
The Indigenous organization APIB said some people were prevented from voting at schools in their villages.
The reports also included racist abuse, including the slur “bugres,” and an audio recording in which a man said Indigenous people should not vote.
The recording also included threats to restrict access to towns, electricity and water.
APIB called for the allegations to be investigated, those responsible to be held accountable and communities to be protected.
Three government ministries say they are working together on investigations into election-related violence affecting Indigenous, quilombola and terreiro communities.
Terena Indigenous people in Mato Grosso do Sul reported threats, intimidation and racism in their communities during Brazil’s presidential runoff.
The Indigenous Peoples’ Articulation of Brazil (APIB) said some Indigenous voters were prevented from voting at schools in their villages.
People were reportedly called “bugres,” a derogatory and racist term used for Indigenous peoples in Brazil.
An audio recording published with the allegations includes a man saying Indigenous people should not vote and threatening restrictions on their movement and access to utilities.
APIB called for investigations, accountability and protection for the communities.
- Who
- Terena Indigenous people in Mato Grosso do Sul reported the incidents. APIB also publicised allegations.
- What
- They reported threats, intimidation, racism and cases of Indigenous people being prevented from voting.
- When
- During the second round of Brazil’s presidential election. The denunciations were reported on Tuesday, October 27.
- Where
- In Terena communities in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
- Why
- The sources link the allegations to political differences during the election; they do not state a specific motive for each incident.
People making threats
Terena people and APIB
Voting rights
People making threats
An anonymous man in an audio recording said Indigenous people should not vote.
Terena people and APIB
APIB said Indigenous people must not be threatened or silenced for exercising their political rights.
Treatment of Indigenous communities
People making threats
The audio includes threats to restrict movement and cut electricity and water.
Terena people and APIB
APIB condemned the alleged violations and called for investigations, accountability and community safety.
Terena people faced alleged threats, intimidation and racism in their communities.
The Terena people’s allegations were reported, and APIB publicised cases in which Indigenous people were allegedly prevented from voting.
- People affected
- Terena Indigenous people
- State
- Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Election period
- Second round of the presidential election
- Reported term
- Bugres,” described as derogatory and racist
- Organisations calling for action
- APIB; the ministries of Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights and Citizenship, and Racial Equality
What people are saying
I think Indigenous people should not vote either.
The right to vote belongs to everyone! No Indigenous people can be threatened, discriminated against or silenced for exercising their political rights.
It is unacceptable that political disagreements can result in the use of violence to repress and intimidate different opinions, putting people’s lives at risk.