PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 19/012/2009

26 June 2009

Further Information on UA 138/09 (AMR 19/008/2009, 2 June 2009) Fear for safety

BRAZIL Marcelo Freixo (m)

Vinicius George (m)

State parliamentarian Marcelo Freixo and his aide Vinicius George have said that they are satisfied with the level of protection provided for them by the authorities in Rio de Janeiro. This follows death threats made against them and the discovery of plans made by paramilitary militias (milicias) to assassinate the pair. The state secretary of public security of Rio de Janeiro has stated that protection will be maintained for as long as is necessary.

Since the most recent threats against Marcelo Freixo and his aide Vinicius George, the Rio de Janeiro state secretariat of public security has made some progress in investigating and combating the spread of these criminal groups. This includes the arrest of 39 alleged miliciamembers – 21 of whom were military police officers - and clamping down on some of the illicit businesses that have funded the activities of the milicias. In addition, on 25 June, the Ministry of Justice, the Governor of Rio de Janeiro state and the federal police signed an accord aimed at developing federal legislation against milicia activities. This was a measure called for by the parliamentary inquiry into miliciasheaded by Marcelo Freixo, which concluded in late 2008.

Whilst the state secretariat of public security has made advances, the necessary support of other authorities is still lacking. This includes the implementation of controls and regulations on illicit transport companies by the municipal government and investigations by the Public Prosecutors Office into all those indicted by the recent parliamentary inquiry into milicias.

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