Representatives of the State Institute of Peoples and Traditional Communities of the state of Tocantins (INES-PCTS/TO) attended an institutional meeting with the president of the Management Commission for Policies of Equity on Gender, Race and Diversity of the Judiciary of the state of Tocantins, Justice Angela Issa Haonat, to present demands and proposals aimed at strengthening the guarantee of rights and expanding access to Justice for traditional peoples and communities in the State.
During the meeting, initiatives aimed at promoting equity, tackling historical inequalities and improving dialogue between the Judiciary and social segments that make up the cultural diversity of people of the state of Tocantins, such as indigenous peoples, quilombolas, terreiro peoples, riparian (riverside) peoples, artisanal fishermen, babaçu coconut breakers and gypsy communities, were discussed.
The state secretary of Racial Equality of the state of Tocantins, Professor Sérgio Roberto, also attended the meeting, who highlighted the importance of articulation among public institutions for the advancement of policies to promote racial equality. On that occasion, the secretary suggested holding institutional events in partnership with the Judiciary, as well as offering training courses in racial literacy, aimed both at the local community and for professionals of the Justice System.
In addition to the secretary, the meeting was attended by Ana Clélia Ribeiro, president of the Association of Gypsy Ethnicities of Tradition and Inclusion of North Tocantins (Acek-Patins), who presented the main difficulties faced by the gypsy population in access and guarantee their rights. On the occasion, she also delivered a document with guidelines and demands related to the peoples and traditional communities of the state of Tocantins, with the aim of promoting institutional dialogue and encouraging the construction of partnerships with the Judiciary for the strengthening and implementation of fundamental rights of these communities.
In highlighting the importance of institutional dialogue, Justice Angela Issa Haonat stressed that the work of the Judiciary must be committed to the promotion of equity and recognizing of the social and cultural diversity of the State.
“The Judiciary has a duty to listen and understand the realities experienced by traditional peoples and communities, strengthening institutional policies that broaden access to Justice and contribute to the construction of a fairer, plural and inclusive society," she said.
