PF investigates death of indigenous leader who reported invasions to the UN

The Federal Police (PF) in Pará are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the indigenous leader Tymbektodem Macaw in the Cachoeira Seca Indigenous Land, 250 km from Altamira, in Pará.

He was known as “Tymbek” and was found dead in a river on October 14, allegedly from drowning. The PF Police Station in Altamira opened an investigation and is investigating the case. Sources confirmed the case and informed the CNN who treat the case confidentially.

The indigenous leader was at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UN), in Geneva, Switzerland, and denounced land invasion in the Cachoeira Seca Indigenous Land, where the Arara ethnic group lives.

“We are a people of initial contact, we came here to demand that our lives and our territory be respected. We have already suffered many invasions,” he declared at the time.

A CNN found that, after the episode, Tymbek received intimidating audio messages, such as “aren’t you afraid?” or “I’m glad you’re defending your land…”, the latter being ironic, according to people close to him. Upon arriving in Pará, he was escorted by the National Force until he reached the indigenous land where he lived.

The leader was also a teacher and president of the Kowita association, as well as a scholar of the Arara language.

The NGO Conectas for Human Rights released a note of condolence. “Tymbektodem left leaving an invaluable legacy for the Arara people, of recent contact, and for the entire indigenous community in Brazil. More than that, he was a warrior for his people, who fought tirelessly for indigenous rights and the protection of the lands and natural resources that sustain their communities.”

See also: STF defines rules for compensation for demarcation of indigenous lands

STF defines rules for compensation for demarcation of indigenous lands | LIVE CNN