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| Comisión Pastoral de la Tierra | |
|---|---|
| Name | Comisión Pastoral de la Tierra |
| Native name | Comisión Pastoral de la Tierra |
| Formation | 1970s |
| Type | Non-governmental organization |
| Headquarters | Brazil |
| Region served | Brazil |
| Languages | Portuguese |
Comisión Pastoral de la Tierra is a Brazilian pastoral organization linked to Catholic Church movements that works on land rights, agrarian conflict resolution, and rural human rights in Brazil. It emerged amid the agrarian struggles of the late 20th century involving actors such as the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra, the Conferência Nacional dos Bispos do Brasil, and regional dioceses in states like Maranhão and Pará. The organization has interfaced with institutions including the Ministério Público Federal, the Associação Brasileira de Advogados Trabalhistas, and international bodies such as the United Nations human rights mechanisms.
Founded during the period of military rule in Brazil, the Comisión Pastoral de la Tierra developed in dialogue with the Second Vatican Council reforms and Latin American liberation theology currents associated with figures like Dom Hélder Câmara and movements across Latin America. Early work intersected with land struggles in the Amazon Rainforest frontier, conflicts involving companies such as the Fronteira Agropecuária actors and rural elites in states like Bahia and Goiás. The 1980s and 1990s saw engagement with the Movimento dos Pequenos Agricultores, responses to violence linked to militias like groups involved in the Massacre de Eldorado dos Carajás, and collaboration with legal actors in instances related to the Reforma Agrária debates. In the 21st century the organization expanded programs addressing deforestation debates involving stakeholders such as IBAMA and international environmental NGOs like Greenpeace.
The Comisión Pastoral de la Tierra operates through diocesan teams, regional coordinators, and networks that collaborate with institutions such as the Conferência Nacional dos Bispos do Brasil, local paróquias, and social movements like the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Sem Terra. Its governance model includes lay coordinators, clergy linked to orders like the Sociedade São Vicente de Paulo, and alliances with civil society organizations such as the Central Única dos Trabalhadores and legal clinics at universities like the Universidade de São Paulo. Funding and partnership channels have included international foundations, faith-based networks like Caritas Internationalis, and cooperation with academic centers such as the Instituto de Estudos Socioeconômicos.
Primary objectives encompass defense of land tenure for peasant families, documentation of rural violence, and advocacy before bodies including the Supremo Tribunal Federal and the Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos. Activities include accompaniment of landless communities, training in agrarian law in collaboration with entities like the Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil, mediation in conflicts involving agribusiness companies such as large-scale soja producers, and production of reports utilized by NGOs such as Amnesty International and research groups at the Universidade Federal do Pará. The organization also engages with public policies related to agencies like the Instituto Nacional de Colonização e Reforma Agrária.
Notable campaigns have targeted impunity in rural murders linked to disputes over timber and pasture expansion, responses to episodes like the Massacre de Colniza and advocacy around contested infrastructure projects such as hydroelectric dams in the Xingu River basin. Projects have included land regularization efforts in partnership with the Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragens, agroecology training with institutions like the Embrapa network, and monitoring deforestation in coordination with environmental research centers such as the Instituto Socioambiental. International advocacy campaigns connected the organization to forums like the World Social Forum and the Coalition for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The Comisión works closely with peasant federations including the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra, quilombola communities represented by groups like the Quilombo Remanescentes organizations, and indigenous organizations such as the Coordenação das Organizações Indígenas do Brasil. It provides accompaniment to family farmers connected to cooperatives, interfaces with unions such as the Central Única dos Trabalhadores, and participates in ecumenical networks alongside partners like CEBI and Caritas Brasileira. Collaboration extends to academic research centers including the Núcleo de Altos Estudos Amazônicos and international solidarity groups participating in campaigns at the European Parliament.
The organization has faced controversies arising from confrontations with agricultural elites, paramilitary actors implicated in incidents like the Massacre de Pau D'Arco, and criticism in political arenas involving actors from parties such as the Partido Ruralista bloc. Legal and security challenges involved interactions with federal law enforcement institutions like the Polícia Federal and disputes over land titling regulated by the Instituto Nacional de Colonização e Reforma Agrária. Funding scrutiny and debates over pastoral intervention in political processes have provoked public debates in legislative committees associated with the Congresso Nacional.
The Comisión Pastoral de la Tierra has been cited in reports by international bodies including the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and has received recognition from human rights networks such as Front Line Defenders and awards given by civil society coalitions tied to the World Bank dialogues. Its documentation has informed rulings in forums like the Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos and influenced policy debates within institutions such as the Ministério da Justiça and academic curricula at universities like the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. The organization's work continues to shape alliances among religious actors, peasant movements, and transnational advocacy networks addressing land conflicts in Brazil.
Category:Non-profit organizations based in Brazil Category:Land rights organizations Category:Catholic Church in Brazil