Defending justice and human rights

Father Henri Burin des Roziers (right) works for CAFOD partner organisation CPT, the Pastoral Land Commission of the Brazilian Catholic Church - he is pictured with his bodyguard [Sue Branford]

Father Henri de Roziers, of the Catholic Church’s Pastoral Land Commission (CPT) in Brazil, talks about his award-winning human rights work, which has resulted in him being targeted with death threats

Father Henri de Roziers has worked for CAFOD partner the CPT for more than 30 years in the Southern state of Para, close to where American nun Sister Dorothy Stang was murdered in 2005 while campaigning for the rights of poor farmers.

It is one of the Amazon’s most violent regions. The CPT’s support for poor workers in rural areas often brings it into conflict with major landowners.

According to the CPT, Father Henri is one of 118 land activists in Para who have received death threats in recent years, and 814 people were murdered between 1971 and 2006 in connection with disputes over land.

Displaying great courage and a lawyer’s capacity to marshal facts, Father Henri has managed to bring to justice some of those responsible for the worst human rights violations.

His human rights work won him an award from the Brazilian government in 2007, but just months later he received his latest death threat.

He explains what it is like living under 24-hour protection.

How are the death threats affecting you?

I have been under 24-hour protection since February 2005. As a result of the latest threats in 2007, I can no longer travel at night and when I travel outside Xinguara in the South of Brazil, I am accompanied by two security guards.

Why are so few brought to justice for human rights abuses?

Partly because the threats are made by some of the rich, powerful elite and there have been cases where they have influenced the police.

There have also been instances where powerful people have influenced the judiciary. Death threats are carried out, and in many cases those guilty of the threats and the murders go unpunished.

With a lot of national and international pressure, the assassins may be brought to trial, but this can take years.

It’s a big problem because impunity encourages this type of crime.

How can people in the UK help?

When we are defending the rights of landless people and the poorest in our region, support from CAFOD and other organisations really helps bring success.

A reading from Isaiah says: “He comes to enlighten those who walk in darkness and in the shadows of death, He guides our steps on the path towards justice and peace.”

This inspires us to find strength and hope… and I hope it will inspire CAFOD and its supporters to continue on this path with us.

The difficulties that lie ahead are numerous, the path is long and we need to be strong and united to follow this path together.

You’ve said before that you’re not afraid of being killed. Is this still the case?

Death doesn’t concern me much. My life is dedicated to carrying out the teachings of the Gospel. I gave up many things to commit to this cause but this choice in some ways gave me freedom.

Fighting for justice for the poorest is a risky option in Brazil. If I were married with children, I would have to think twice about running these risks.

How do these threats affect your work?

My pastoral work alongside people who most need it is being seriously affected. I visit the settlements and encampments less and participate less in meetings and activities with families.

But the Brazilian Bishops Conference has shown solidarity. It is important to show the poorest sectors of society that they are not alone, that the Catholic Church supports those fighting for justice.

The Bishop of Xinguara celebrated mass with me twice in encampments where families had been evicted extremely violently.

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