Brazilian government should protect activists against intimidation
The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) in Geneva has announced that the Brazilian government should take measures to guarantee the security of members of the Forum Suape Social Environmental Space, and of national activists in general, against intimidation from third parties. The ISHR has issued a statement about this after Forum Suape member and attorney Dr. Conceição Lacerda (photo) reported she had been harassed by security guard members of the Industrial and Harbor Complex of Suape (CIPS).
According to Lacerda, CIPS agents had put her house under surveillance by filming its interior in an attempt to intimidate her. Evidence of this taken by a security camera of Dr. Lacerda herself is in the possession of Both ENDS. Ben Leather, advocacy and communications manager at ISHR, says that the Brazilian authorities should take stronger measures to guarantee the security of Dr. Lacerda and other human rights defenders who are working on cases related to CIPS. “It is also vital that they take measures to address the root causes of these human rights abuses and put into place precautionary measures to protect the community and activists from abuses whilst these causes are being addressed”, says Leather.
The locals of the harbour in Suape have been complaining about the harbour expansion for quite some time now, as they feel that the developments have negatively impacted their rights, living conditions and the natural resources that used to provide them a livelihood. Leather: “Unfortunately, these recent incidents of surveillance and harassment of Dr Lacerda are not isolated. Brazil has previously taken important steps towards the protection of human rights defenders. However, it is now crucial that they be consolidated and their efficacy guaranteed, particularly for those most vulnerable activists.”
Despite that Brazil has started a national program that focuses on the protection of human rights defenders, critics argue that this program has failed land and environmental rights activists in particular. As Both ENDS supports Forum Suape and has been closely following the developments around the harbour, we will continue to keep an eye on this case.
Want more background information? You can read our story on the harbour expansion in Suape here.
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