UN rapporteur criticizes role of Military Police

Érica Santana

Reporter Agência Brasil

Brasília - In her preliminary report on human rights in Brazil, the UN rapporteur for Human Rights, the Pakistani, Hina Jilani, said that the country's Military Police (MP) seemed to be part of the problem. They frequently use intimidation and even physical force against social movements, she said. In her report she suggested the government "take note of these activities and deal with them." She said it would be essential to have an independent body oversee MP actions.

Jilani went on to say that the Federal Police and other governmental agencies were seen as more trustworthy by the population than the MP. She added: "While it is true that mechanisms for promoting and protecting human rights exist on paper, they do not always have the desired practical results."

The report also called for "urgent" adjustments in the country's judicial system in order to make it more responsive to the social clauses in the constitution and in the legislature where there was a need for more pro-active human rights promotion.

Jilani concluded by expressing the hope an "open process" would be implemented to resolve land disputes without "political polarization." She declared that an end to impunity for those who commit crimes against human rights was very important.

Translation: Allen Bennett