Web Action Update - Closing text: WA 26/05; AI Index AMR 19/003/2007

Start date: 30/01/2007

Brazil's caveirão: "What are you most afraid of?"

Amnesty International’s campaign against the irresponsible use of the “caveirão” has had a major impact on the ground in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

To date, the campaign has received a great deal of media attention, turning the “caveirão” into a symbol of repressive policing. Such was the polemic that all candidates in the October 2006 elections for State Governorship felt the need to publicly repudiate the use of the caveirão. The winning candidate, Sergio Cabral, has said he intends to retire Rio’s fleet of armoured vehicles.

Nonetheless, the caveirão continues to be used in violent policing operations in the Rio de Janeiro.

Amnesty International will be holding Governor Cabral to his word with more actions aimed at ending abusive policing operations once and for all.

Thank you for your participation in this action.