Anderson Mateus André dos Santos

On the 20 of November 2015, Anderson Mateus André dos Santos, 33 years old, Known as “Índio”, was shot, and beaten to death by unknown people,  at approximately 20h. The murder took place in  the encampment called “Élcio Machado”, located between the municipalities of Buritis and Monte Negro , in Rondônia state.

At the time of killing, the Community Leader of “Liga dos Camponeses Pobres” was accompanied by another person (Terezinha Nunes Meciano), who was also murdered. Sources affirm that three men, who arrived on a motorcycle, burst into their house and set it on fire. In addition, according to news agency called “Diário da Amazônia” the murder was carried out with particular brutality.

Both leaders were well known because of their commitment to the struggle for land rights. There have been several conflicts in this encampment since 2008.

 

 


If you would like to provide a personal recollection, please email us at: HRDMemorial@frontlinedefenders.org

Region:Americas

Country:Brazil

Department/Province/State:Rondonia

Nickname:Índio

Sex1:Male

Age:33

Date of Killing:20/11/2015

Previous Threats:No

Type of Work:Community leader

Organisation:Liga dos Camponeses Pobres

Sector or Type of Rights the HRD Worked On:ESC Rights

Sector Detail:Land Rights

More information:Front Line Defenders

1This database records an individual's chosen gender identity. If they do not self-identify as male or female they can use the option of recording other/neither or use the term NBGI (non binary gender identity).