On the night of Thursday, August 17a tragic event shook Brazil with the news of the murder of Maria Bernadete Pacificoprominent leader of Quilombo Pitanga dos Palmares in Bahia. Bernadete, also known as yalorixá and former secretary for the Promotion of Racial Equality of Simões Filho, was brutally murdered in her community. The attack, perpetrated by suspected criminals, left the region and the country in shock.
The Quilombo Pitanga dos Palmares stands as a symbol of territorial and cultural resistance in Brazil. Bernadete Pacífico, a strong and passionate voice in defense of the rights of the Quilombola community, had stood out for his constant fight against the threats and challenges that his community faced. However, his courage and determination were cut short by the violent act that ended his life.
The quilombola community is a concept rooted in Brazilian history, which emerged during the colonial era. It was formed through populations that fled from slavery in search of freedom and created their own autonomous communities, known as quilombos. These places represent a legacy of resistance, rooted in the fight against oppression and racial inequality.
Bernadete Pacífico is not the first victim in her family. his son, Flavio Gabriel Pacifico dos Santos (also called Binho do Quilombo), was assassinated almost six years ago, on September 19, 2017. Denildo Rodrigues, a member of the National Coordination for the Articulation of the Quilombolas Black Rural Communities (Conaq), affirms that Bernadete was assassinated by the same group that ended the his son’s life. Despite the threats and the obvious danger to her, Bernadete never gave up her fight for justice and equality.
The quilombola community in Bahia faces constant threats from groups linked to real estate speculation that seek to appropriate their territories. The valuable and ancestral territory that these communities have held for centuries has become a point of conflict, with the struggle for land at the center of the dispute.
Faced with this situation, the National Coordination for the Articulation of Quilombolas Rural Black Communities (Conaq) has raised its voice to demand that the Brazilian State take immediate protection measures for the leaders of Quilombo Pitanga dos Palmares. The organization calls for a thorough and effective investigation to bring those responsible for these crimes to justice.
In response to the terrible event, a delegation headed by the Ministries of Racial Equality, Justice and Human Rights will be sent on Friday, August 18, to meet with authorities in Bahia and provide support to the victims and their families. It seeks to guarantee the protection and defense of these historical and cultural territories.
The loss of Maria Bernadete Pacífico not only affects her community, but resonates throughout the human rights movement in Brazil and the region. Her struggle and her courage are reminders of the importance of continuing to combat violence and discrimination against Quilombola and traditional communities.
