Criminalization of Human Rights Defenders, Brazil

Clovis Roberto Zimmermann, Brazilian rapporteur for the right to food, and Candida Costa, Brazilian rapporteur for the right to work, denounced the contamination of the river Sirinhaem, allegedly provoked by the discharge of a toxic substance through Usina Trapiche. The substance called Vinheto eliminates oxygen in the river water, thus causing the death of fish. This affects the right to food of the riverside communities, whose principal means of alimentation rely on fish. Usina Trapiche has been imposed a fine for the same delict already in the past.

The two rapporteurs have denounced the Company’s misbehaviour in accordance to the function assigned to them by the Brazilian Platform for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and recognized by the United Nations. Due to this function, they are requested to monitor the compliance of the Brazilian States’ international obligations. Although the rapporteurs presented their claims according to their mandate and in protection of the social groups affected by this situation, the Company used the penal law in order to oppress the denunciation.

FIAN International has sent an open letter to the general attorney Procurador Geral de Justica of Pernambuco, asking him to take the necessary measures in accordance with the Brazilian state’s obligations, in order to prevent the penal condemnation of the rapporteurs and thus preventing a  criminalization of their work in the defence of human rights.
Animated by the public letter of FIAN International, other human rights organisations have initiated similar actions in order to express their support to the rapporteurs.