The year 2013 begins hopeful for the arduous struggle of the indigenous Guarani-Kaiowá people of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. In January, an area of almost 42 thousand hectares in the municipality of Iguatemi was declared traditional territory of the Guarani-Kaiowá.

According to a study by Brazil's indigenous affairs department Funai the area is home to approximately 1,800 indigenous inhabitants. Among them are the 170 indigenous villagers from the tekoha of Pyelito Kue, who recently captured the attention of the international community and gained sympathy among the Brazilian public by announcing their resistance to imminent eviction threats.

FIAN Brazil, flanked by FIAN International and many of its national sections, has been supporting the struggle of the Guarani-Kaiowá since 2005. Working with the public prosecutor and alongside organizations such as CIMI and Justiça Global, FIAN has successfully increased visibility for the cause as well as put pressure upon the national and international responsible bodies, especially through monitoring of the Terms of Adjustment of Conduct (TAC). The TAC is an agreement signed in 2007 by Funai and the Public Ministry Prosecutors and witnessed by indigenous groups, determining the work of 6 groups that are preparing a report on the identification and demarcation of 36 tekohas (sacred territories).

The order of January 8 is the first of the reports to come from the working groups, which were originally scheduled to be published in June 2009. This order constitutes a small but important step in the demarcation process of the Guarani territories. It is worth noting that this victory is the result of years of resistance by the Guarani people, supported by social movement organizations and, as was reflected in demonstrations in over 50 cities and appeals on the internet, by the national and international community as a whole.

The ultimate demarcation of the Iguatemipegua I land depends on the final statement of the Funai to the Ministry of Justice, which is expected to be published after the deadline for contesting the report expires, 90 days from the date of the original publication.


There is still a long way to go in this struggle, not only in relation to the Iguatemipegua land, but for all Guarani territories. Thus, it is necessary to maintain visibility and solidarity with the Guarani-Kaiowá so that their human rights and sacred territories can be protected. In this way, 2013 can continue to be a year of victories.
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