Indigenous genocide and the pandemic: the case of Brazil
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Abstract
In April 2024, Brazil initiated a historic process of reparations for state-led injustices against Indigenous peoples. This process revisits key historical episodes of Indigenous genocide to promote memory, truth, and accountability. Drawing on contemporary definitions of genocide, encompassing both hot and cold forms, this article examines the longstanding cold genocide perpetrated by the State, highlighting flare-up moments of hot genocide. While cold genocide unfolds gradually through systemic neglect and structural violence, hot genocide manifests in direct, overt acts of mass killing and persecution. This study focuses primarily on the recent pandemic, during which the government exploited the health crisis to intensify the ongoing extermination of Indigenous populations. The analysis is grounded in a historical perspective and a detailed examination of the Pandemic Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry Final Report.