PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 19/002/2009

15 January 2009

Further Information on UA 306/08 (AMR 19/015/2008, 5 November 2008) Fear for safety

BRAZIL Katia Camargo (f)

Her two children, aged 11 and 15

After receiving a series of threats, Katia Camargo and her two children entered a witness protection programme on 5 January. They are no longer believed to be in grave danger.

Katia Camargo had been threatened by people linked to the killers of her husband, investigative journalist Luiz Carlos Barbon. The journalist, who had reported on official corruption, was murdered in May 2007.

Their protection was ordered by São Paulo’s Human Rights Prosecutor. It is unusual for the Prosecutor to act so rapidly on such a case. It is notable that the prosecutor's office acted with impressive speed in this case due in part to Amnesty International's intervention.

Many thanks to all who sent appeals. No further action is requested from the UA network.