Marking an end to a violent conflict, agrochemical multinational Syngenta
has handed over its experimental farm in Paraná state, in the South of
Brazil, to the state government.
This brings to a conclusion a long standing land dispute between landless
workers movements and the Swiss company, which led to the deaths of two men.

Syngenta gave the land to the Paraná state government on October 14, 2008.
The government has promised to use the land for the production of native
seeds for distribution to small holder farmers and impoverished countries
who have suffered devastation from hurricanes.

The 127-hectare farm in Santa Tereza do Oeste was used by Syngenta to field
test its genetically modified (GM) crops. This was contested because it
potentially contravened an environmental zoning law and because it was
identified as a possible site for the settlement of landless agricultural
workers.

Two men were killed after the landless workers movements, MST and Via
Campesina, occupied the farm in protest on October 21, 2007. An illegal and
violent eviction by 40 armed employees of NF Segurança, the private security
company hired by Syngenta to protect the farm, led to the deaths of MST
leader Valmir Motta de Oliveira (known as Keno) and security guard Fábio
Ferreira.

Human rights groups and land activists in the state of Paraná have
previously suffered threats and intimidation from a number of groups formed
by landowners. In a public hearing on 18 October 2007, local rights groups
presented a dossier of evidence to the state human rights commission that
highlighted the activities of armed men hired by landowners and agricultural
companies. According to the report, they act with no legal controls, often
using violent and illegal methods to forcibly evict, threaten and attack
land activists.

Several investigations into irregular and illicit behavior by NF Segurança,
including the investigation into Keno's murder, have led to its licence
being revoked. The company continues to operate pending its appeal.

Amnesty International has said it is vital that steps are taken by federal
and state authorities across Brazil to control the flood of irregular and/or
illicit security companies, many of whom are effectively acting as illegal
militias in the service of landowners or agro-industry.

"It is essential that the state and federal authorities investigate
individuals, organizations or companies which use security companies that
commit human rights violations or criminal acts," said Susan Lee, Amnesty
International's America's director. "Those found to have failed in their
duty to adequately vet or oversee their security company must be held to
account." With the trial of the suspects of the killings of Keno and Fabio
Ferreira about to begin in November Amnesty International calls on the
authorities to ensure that it meets international standards for fair trials.

"It is vital that those individuals truly responsible for these deaths are
brought to justice, ending the long history of impunity for rural killings
and the protection of vested economic and political interests." Susan Lee
stated.

Amnesty International called Syngenta's decision to give back its 127
hectare experimental farm to the Paraná state government a welcome end to a
violent conflict over the site.

Syngenta's decision to relinquish the land, Amnesty says, stands as an
important step in the defense of the human rights of those struggling for
their rights to land and survival across the state.

The trial of those accused of the murders of MST leader Keno and Fabio
Ferreira will begin in November. Amnesty International is calling on the
Paraná state authorities to ensure that it meets international standards for
fair trials in order that only those responsible are brought to justice. It
is time to end impunity for rural killings and the protection of vested
political and economic powers.

What Happened

Early in the morning of October 21, 2007, members of the Via Campesina and
the Movimento de Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST), both landless
workers' movements, occupied the 127-hectare farm near the town of Santa
Teresa do Oeste. The land was used for field trials of genetically modified
crops.

The use of the land was contested both because it potentially contravened an
environmental zoning law and because it was identified as a possible site
for land reform for the settlement of landless agricultural workers.

Hours after the occupation, 40 armed men entered the farm and shot MST
leader Keno dead in the chest at point blank range. One of the security
guards, Fabio Ferreira, was also killed. At the time the police suggested he
was accidentally shot by his colleagues, though prosecutors later charged a
member of the MST with the killing, informing Amnesty International that
these possibilities had to be tested in court. Eight others were injured in
the attack, including MST member Izabel Nascimento, who was beaten
unconscious and remains in a coma in hospital, in a critical condition.

Human rights groups and land activists in the state of Paraná have
previously suffered threats and intimidation from members of landowners'
associations or those acting in their name. In a public hearing on October
18 2007, local rights groups presented a dossier of evidence to the state
human rights commission which highlighted the activities of armed men hired
by landowners and agricultural companies. According to the report, they act
with no legal controls or oversight, often using violent and illegal methods
to forcibly evict, threaten and attack land activists.
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