Urgent Appeal to the UN regarding police violence in the state of Rio de Janeiro

The Arns Commission is one of the signatories of the Urgent Appeal sent to the United Nations (UN) and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in order to present information about serious human rights violations that occurred on November 20, 21, and 22, at the Complexo do Salgueiro, in the city of São Gonçalo, Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro.

They also request that the Brazilian State be questioned, especially for the characterization of flagrant violent actions by police forces, which resulted in at least eight cruel killings. The text states: “(...) that it is pointed out the State's duty to guarantee an independent, fast, and impartial investigation on the facts and executions that occurred; that it is demanded that the Brazilian State ensure integral assistance, reparation, and access to the investigations to the victims' families and to all the people who suffered violations, and the issuing of a public statement regarding the inviolability of the right to life and physical integrity of the population living in the favelas and suburbs, recognizing police violence and lethality as one of the most atrocious faces of structural racism.”

The Arns Commission also sent an official letter to the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Rio de Janeiro demanding measures to control police violence and to respect Claim of Non-Compliance with a Fundamental Precept (ADPF) No. 635, regarding the limits to be imposed on police operations in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro.

Photo: Ricardo Moraes (Reuters)