Concern over the closure of investigations into operations in Baixada Santista

PN #76

We express our deep concern over the closure by the São Paulo Public Prosecutor's Office of 11 investigations into the actions of the Military Police in the “Escudo e Verão” operations in Baixada Santista in July 2023 and April 2024. These investigations had been reopened at the request of the Public Defender's Office. Both Tarcísio de Freitas administration and the Attorney General defended the closure, stating that there had been a “rigorous investigation,” even though there was no evidence of armed confrontation.

During the operations, police violence resulted in 84 deaths, including that of a bedridden disabled person, and 13 police officers were charged. The Arns Commission accompanied the then Police Ombudsman, Cláudio Silva, to Baixada and spoke with the victims' families, who were assisted by the Public Defender's Office. Complaints were made about serious flaws in police conduct, such as blocking body cameras, lack of forensic investigation at the scenes of death, improper removal of bodies, and disregard for witness testimony. There has been only one indictment of a military police officer (referred to a jury trial) in this episode, which caused public outrage due to the violence and the results of the intervention.

Safety is a fundamental right, linked to the right to life. The Arns Commission will continue to monitor and report cases of police abuse as well as to reaffirm its commitment to an efficient and well-trained police force, in accordance with the law, the human rights, and democracy.