In a statement published on July 25, groups linked with the struggle for land and families of the victims demand the acting judge of the cause, Murilo Lemos Leao, to be immediately removed from the case, which has suffered many irregularities.

They claim the judge refused twice to order the imprisonment of the main suspects of the crime and they fear they have fled one of the country’s most conflictive regions.

The organizations are demanding the urgent intervention of the country’s Attorney General’s Office.

They also reminded that during the investigations, the civil police demanded the temporary imprisonment of the suspects, but the judge denied the request “to everyone’s surprise”.

“Now the detention of the group (three purported responsible had been identified) becomes even harder”, warns a press release issued this week.
According to a Pastoral Land Commission’s (CPT, one of the signing organizations) report, 41.6% of the overall crimes committed in Brazil between 1996 and 2010, including some of the most paradigmatic cases, such as El Dorado dos Carajas massacre, and the murder of US nun Dorothy Stang, were committed in Para state.

“The ruling of Judge Murilo Lemos is another step towards impunity”, the organizations claim. They demand the involvement of Brazilian president Dilma Roussef and of the Ministers of Justice, Human Rights and Agrarian Development, and the Parliament commissions on those fields.

Maraba’s statement is signed by groups like the Rural Landless Workers Movement (MST), the Movement of People Affected by Dams (MAB), the Missionary Indigenous Council (CIMI) and the CPT.

Photo:www.cpt.org.br