Note from Cimi: Murder of Hariel Paliano Xokleng revolts and highlights the false conciliation of the Brazilian State

The Indigenous Missionary Council (Cimi) expresses deep indignation and sadness over the cruel murder of Hariel Paliano, aged 26, which occurred in the Kakupli village, in the interior of the Ibirama La Klaño Indigenous Land, of the Xokleng people, located in the municipality of José Boiteux, in Santa Catarina .

Hariel was found lifeless, with marks of beating and with his body burned, on the morning of this Saturday, April 27th, on the banks of the highway that connects the Santa Catarina municipalities of Doutor Pedrinho and Itaiópolis, a few meters from the house in which he lived with his mother and stepfather, leader Xokleng of Kakupli Village.

Exactly in the place where Hariel’s body was seen, a shooting attack occurred earlier this month, on the 4th, reported by the community and documented by Cimi. You can read the full report here.

The news of Hariel’s murder came by surprise and brought a lot of pain to the Xokleng delegation who are still on the road, returning from Brasília, where they participated, during the week, in the Terra Livre Camp (ATL). While indigenous peoples are in the Federal Capital mobilized in a democratic and legitimate way in defense of their rights, receiving slowness and treacherous words from the State, in traditional territories violence is rapid, ideological and lethal.

In recent months, after the approval and promulgation of Law 14701/2023, which makes the time frame effective, the Xokleng have suffered recurring shooting attacks in the region. At least two episodes of this nature were recorded and reported recently.

Cimi draws attention to the fact that, throughout the week, the decision taken by Minister Gilmar Mendes, on April 22nd, which maintained the validity of Law 14701/2023 and created a conciliation table to deal with the matter within the scope of the Federal Supreme Court (STF).

Gilmar Mendes’ decision was understood as a victory for the sectors that oppose the demarcation of the Ibirama La Klaño Indigenous Land and other indigenous lands in Brazil. In this sense, the decision in question became fuel for euphoria and hatred against indigenous peoples.

Ariel’s murder is a reflection and exposes the tone of false conciliation that anti-indigenous sectors have always proposed and continue to propose in their relationship with original peoples. There is no possible reconciliation between the rope and the neck other than the death of the hanged man.

Cimi, for months, has been warning the authorities of the Three Powers of the Republic about the disastrous consequences arising from the approval and validity of Law 14701/2023. Ariel’s murder fully demonstrates, more than ever, the necessary and urgent declaration of the unconstitutionality of Law 14,701/2023.

Cimi sympathizes with Hariel Paliano’s family, as well as with the Xokleng, Kaingang and Guarani people who live in the Ibrirama La Klaño Indigenous Land.

Cimi, in this moment of deep pain and administrative and legal insecurities, vehemently repudiates this heinous crime and demands its immediate investigation, identifying and punishing those responsible.

Hariel Paliano Lives!

Indigenous Missionary Council (Cimi)

Brasilia, April 27, 2024