“Ferreyra’s murder is further evidence of the repression to the peasants by monoculture entrepeneurs”

November 17, 2011

María José Venancio, a member of the Peasant Movement of Santiago del Estero talked about the murder of Cristian Ferreyra and denounced the “illegal land system with the support of the judiciary and politics” in dialogue with M24Digital. Today there will be a press conference in Congress  and they call for a march to Santiago House tomorrow.

As it was reported in a MOCASE, statement  Cristian Ferreyra was killed by two ”thugs” sent by the employer Ciccioli from Santa Fe ”when he was at home holding a meeting with farmers trying to organize to stop the advance of deforestation in the community San Antonio which violates the Forest Act, “said the interviewee.

José María referred to the progress of several ”powerful” businessmen from provinces like Tucumán and Santa Fe who buy land, mainly for soybean, by deeds of “dubious legality” to the  santiagueño government. She denounced themto M24Digital for selling government land deal and abbreviated trials which purchase land for decadesfamilies have lived in the place, “at ridiculous prices by passing them throughcontracts of succession”. She added that ”the system of land sales is not clear and even sometimes the land is sold to people in or policemen. There are a lot of business turn

María José reiterated to M24Digital that there is “a system of judges and politicians in complicit with these practices, only large landowners are defended and it is support the repression of peasants and indigenous people.” At the same time she reported several attacks on the community as practiced continuously evictions or threats and damages made ​​to the FM of the peasant organization located in the northof the province. They made many complaints but were never heard.

She also told us that they “managed to reach across the country with the news and the report of the murder, as well as the international press.” Shortly  the case will be presented in the UN delegation.

“We are not alone, we have the support of indigenous organizations and of various social movements both in Santiago and throughout the country”