Situation of Indigenous Peoples in Mato Grosso do Sul
+ INDIGENIST MISSIONARY COUNCIL - CIMI
ENDING IMPUNITY AND PROMOTING THE RIGHTS OF
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES MUST BE BRAZIL'S PRIORITIES 19
"Despite all the economic progress made in Brazil over the
last decade, violence is endemic and the current response is not
only failing to reduce the violence, it is actually exacerbating the
situation," said Amnesty International's Secretary General Salil
Shetty as he completed an official visit to the country.
The visit highlighted issues of public security in the favelas of
Rio, and the plight of Indigenous Peoples. It reviewed Brazil's
human rights progress as it prepares to host the next World Cup
and Olympics and was timed to coincide with the International
Day of Indigenous Peoples.
In the favelas the Secretary General met members of the
community who told him how they felt imprisoned in their own
homes.
"The people we met who live in Maré fear both the criminals who
attack them and the police who are supposed to protect them," said
Salil Shetty.
Amnesty International has documented a pattern of police
abuse, unlawful searches of homes, extrajudicial executions and
enforced disappearances in the favelas. Salil Shetty, later voiced
his concerns with José Eduardo Cardoso, the minister of justice
in Brasília, and a number of other ministers, pressing for urgent
reforms in the country.
"The insecurity and frustrations of people living in favelas is
spreading. The people who identify themselves as middle class
and have taken to the streets over the last two months - many of
them for the first time - are seeing the ugly side of policing that
is not subject to civilian oversight," said Atilla Roque, Director
of Amnesty International in Brazil, accompanied the Secretary
General throughout his visit
Amnesty International believes that it is critical that policing
undergoes fundamental reform in Brazil. A first step is to establish
independent civilian oversight of the police with investigative
powers to create accountability.
Salil Shetty visited camp Apikay with Indigenous leaders. Lunaê Parracho
19Visit of the Secretary General of Amnesty International, August 2013.View entire presentation