The Federal Supreme Court (STF) honored the quilombola leader Maria Bernadete Pacífico, who was shot dead last Thursday (17). The President of the Court, Justice Rosa Weber, proposed a minute of silence in the plenary before the beginning of the works.
Mãe Bernadete, as she was known, led the quilombola community Pitanga dos Palmares, in Simões Filho (BA), and acted as national coordinator of Conaq (National Coordination of Quilombos Articulation).
Video: Quilombola leader murdered in Bahia
“Last week, Mother Bernadette was brutally murdered inside her home with more than ten shots, almost all of them in the face. A 72-year-old lady who was in the living room watching television with her grandchildren,” said Rosa Weber.
“I got in touch with the governor of Bahia, who is taking all the necessary measures. The Federal Police is already working on the case, ”he said.
The day after the murder, Weber released a note demanding action and reparation for the death of Mother Bernadette.
The quilombola leadership had met with Rosa Weber in July of this year at Quilombo Quingoma, in Lauro de Freitas (BA).
On the occasion, Bernadette spoke with the president of the STF about the violence to which the quilombolas are exposed and also about the death of her son, Flávio Gabriel Pacífico dos Santos, executed with 14 gunshots six years ago.
“It is absolutely appalling that the Quilombolas, whose ancestors fought with all their strength and lost their lives to escape slavery, still live today in a situation of extreme vulnerability on their lands”, said Weber. “As is the right of all Brazilians, Quilombolas need to live in peace and have their individual rights respected”.
In a note, Conaq expressed regret at the loss of “such a wise woman and true leadership”.
“His premature departure is an irreparable loss not only for the quilombola community, but for the entire human rights movement,” said the organization.
“Conaq demands that the Brazilian State take immediate measures to protect the leaders of Quilombo de Pitanga de Palmares. It is the duty of the State to ensure that there is a swift and effective investigation and that those responsible for the crimes that have victimized the leaders of that Quilombo are duly held accountable.”
The Federal Police (PF) of Bahia said it had launched an investigation to investigate the murder.
Source: CNN Brasil

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