Police killed almost twice as much in São Paulo in 2014

While São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have taken action to curb unlawful use of lethal force by police, the number of such killings has increased dramatically in the past year. The number of police killings increased 97% in São Paulo and 40% in Rio.

The figures are in a global report released today (Jan. 29) by Human Rights Watch (HRW), showing that there is much more Brazil needs to do to address such chronic problems as torture, unlawful killings, and inhumane prison conditions.

Currently in its 25th edition, the HRW World Report 2015 looks into how human rights practices have advanced – or worsened – in over 90 countries. In its chapter on Brazil, HRW points out persisting torture in prisons is a major concern. The National Human Rights Ombudsman's Office received 5,431 reports of torture and cruel, inhumane, or ill treatment in 2014. More than 80% of the total reports were about incidents in prisons, police stations, jails, and juvenile detention centers.

As a positive step, HRW highlighted a resolution by the National Council of Justice outlining basic guidelines for judges in investigating potential torture cases. Another important advance was a panel of 11 experts appointed by the National Committee for Preventing and Confronting Torture, who will conduct regular visits to military and civilian detention centers. With a prison population in excess of half a million, Brazil's prison system is 37% over its full capacity. “Many detention facilities are plagued by violence,” the report went on.

On a global perspective, Brazil has played a positive role on the UN Human Rights Council by supporting resolutions on critical human rights situations, and at the UN General Assembly by leading efforts to ensure digital privacy. On the other hand, as HRW pointed out, the country has failed to support international efforts to come down on governments involved in blatant abuses, based on non-interference principles.

Translated by Mayra Borges