Missionaries Respond to 'Nightline' Report

Feb. 2, 2009— -- In September 2008, "Nightline" reported on a group of evangelical Christian missionaries who launched a campaign against what they claim is the widespread practice of infanticide among Amazonian Indians. After the piece aired, the group issued the following response to "Nightline" and ABC News correspondent Dan Harris:

Dear Mr. Harris,

When an issue becomes as politicized as infanticide among Brazilian Indians has, it's hard to find the thread of truth among the many conflicting voices. But in the final analysis, our position is quite simple: when the life of a child -- any child -- is at risk, there's no argument. Something must be done to protect that child.

My husband, Edson Suzuki, and I feel strongly about preserving indigenous language, music, art, and their traditional ways. That is the main reason we founded ATINI, a non-government organization (NGO) that advocates for indigenous children's rights. Unlike the accusatory tone the title of your story suggests, "Missionaries Accuse Indians of Killing Babies," ATINI exists to support those Indians eager to protect their children from unnecessary death.

Regarding your ABC News "Nightline" story a few weeks ago, several inaccuracies and omissions were evident, among them:

1. The Missing Indigenous Perspective (sic): Although representatives from different organizations were able to share their perspectives, this story was ultimately about the tribes. Indigenous leaders came to Brasilia to meet with you -- some of them having traveled over 40 hours from their tribes -- but you excluded their statements from your story. The most important perspective -- of the Indians themselves -- was missed entirely.

2. Claims That Infanticide Is Infrequent and Happens Only in Remote Areas: Over the last few years, several publications (and we could cite them specifically) have quoted government experts who support our claim that infanticide is common in tribes that are not deeply isolated. Even Napoleon Chagnon, well-known American anthropologist, has described the high infanticide rate among the Yanomami Tribe.

Edson Suzuki & Marcia Suzuki