Condemnation of the murder of Quilombola leader and Yalorixá María Bernadete Pacífico

El CLACSO Working Group: Civilizational Crisis, Reconfigurations of Racism, Afro-Latin American Social Movements We join in the mourning and outrage that grips Brazil and the international community following the tragic assassination of the courageous Quilombola leader María Bernadete Pacífico. We express our deepest condemnation and dismay at this atrocious act of violence that has taken the life of a tireless defender of the rights and dignity of Quilombola and Afro-descendant communities.

María Bernadete Pacífico, known for her energetic fight for justice and equality, was a beacon of hope and strength for her community and for all those who embrace the cause of social justice and racial equality in Brazil and beyond. Her unwavering commitment to protecting the quilombola territory and culture served as an example of resilience and determination in a context marked by threats and adversity.

The Quilombola community represents a historical legacy of resistance against oppression and discrimination. Maria Bernadete Pacífico embodied this legacy by bravely confronting the pressures of real estate groups seeking to exploit and dispossess the ancestral territories that these communities have defended for generations. Her tireless voice rose in defense of social justice and against racial inequality, inspiring many to join the struggle for a more equitable and just Brazil.

We deeply regret that this atrocious crime is not an isolated incident in the history of the struggle for human rights in Brazil. We recall with sorrow that Maria Bernadete Pacífico's son, Flávio Gabriel Pacífico dos Santos, also lost his life to violence just a few years ago. This tragic reminder underscores the urgent need to take effective measures to protect human rights defenders and guarantee the safety of vulnerable communities.

We urge the Brazilian State to take strong and decisive measures to bring those responsible for this crime to justice. We demand a thorough and transparent investigation that uncovers the truth behind this act of violence and ensures that those who took the life of Maria Bernadete Pacífico are held accountable.

In solidarity with the Quilombola community, we strongly condemn all forms of violence and racial inequality and reaffirm our commitment to continue their legacy, working tirelessly for equality and racial justice in Brazil and throughout Latin America.

August 18th, 2023
CLACSO Working Group
Civilizational crisis, reconfigurations of racism, Afro-Latin American social movements

This text expresses the position of the aforementioned Working Group and not necessarily that of the centers and institutions that make up the CLACSO international network, its Steering Committee or its Executive Secretariat.