Seminar
Landless Workers & The (Non) Criminalisation of the Movement

April 26th, 2010, 14:00, CES Seminar Room, 2nd Floor, Coimbra

Free Entrance

 
Presentation

The proposed seminar aims to provide an interdisciplinary discussion about the phenomenon of the criminalization of social movements such as the Landless Workers Movement – MST, presently experienced. As such, we aim to begin the discussion on pivotal date for the debate, which is on April 17th, internationally recognized as the struggle for agrarian reform date.

 
Context

On April 17th, 1996, Eldorado dos Carajás, in the Brazilian State of Pará, was stage for a violent massacre or rural workers tied to the Landless Workers Movement (MST). The issue involved the expropriation of ranch Macaxeira considered unproductive and therefore able to land reform. However, the lack of political action in this direction had already taken over two years.

Several negotiation attempts between the landless and the government had been made, from the occupation of the ranch to marches. All unresolved. The last measure was blocking the main highway linking the southern part of the State and Belém, the PA-150, at kilometre 95, known as the "S curve". First, an agreement was made, breached at the end, and so a new block at the same point occurred. This time, the direct order of clearing the road came from the Governor of the State of Para, being executed by Colonel Mario Colares Pantoja, commander of the 4th Battalion of Para and the Commander of the 1st of CIPM Parauapebas, Major Oliveira. The massacre begins, resulting in 19 landless brutally killed and 80 wounded.

Given the above, the then president, Fernando Henrique Cardoso signed Law No. 10,469 of June 25, 2002, establishing April 17th as National Day of Struggle for Agrarian Reform. The international Via Campesina declared April 17th as World Day of Peasant Struggle. This day was internationally marked not as commemorative day, but as one where the struggle is highlighted. The struggle became law!

That date symbolizes the quest for emancipation of a people mowed of their rights. Thus, it seems highly important to carry out an event that not only analyzes what happened that day, but also discusses the struggle in contemporary agenda

That is the purpose of this event, which, as we believe, is in perfect harmony with the main strategic guidelines of the CES especially in terms (i) the particular attention that should be given to North-South cooperation and relations with the Portuguese-speaking countries and (ii) the training of young researchers in social sciences and the promotion of their scientific activity.

Within the activities of the State, Law and Administration Studies Research Group

Organisation: Cristiane Souza Reis and Criziany Machado Felix

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