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Human Rights - Brazil 2018 Understanding the Issues

Human Rights - Brazil 2018 Understanding the Issues

Brazil is a party to the , which is committed to guaranteeing equality, dignity, and freedom for all people. Despite being a signatory, the domestic conditions for human rights are far from ideal in Brazil. Human right violations in Brazil include , , violence against the LGBTQ+ population, , and , among others. Two main disadvantaged groups that span these issues stand out: women and people of color. Both groups are the demographic majority鈥攚omen represent 51 percent of the population, and people of color represent 53 percent鈥 and hence will play an important role in the upcoming elections. Yet, these groups remain at a disadvantage and vulnerable to human rights violations.

On average, an incident of rape is registered once every eleven minutes in Brazil; nonetheless, rape cases remain underreported, with those reported accounting for a mere 10 percent of overall rape cases. Among cases registered with the police, result in the perpetrator鈥檚 arrest. In addition to sexual violence, women in Brazil are at high risk of domestic violence. On average, one woman suffers physical violence every 7.2 seconds. In 2017, were murdered in Brazil: 21 percent were femicide cases鈥攙iolence due to gender, which is often committed by current or former partners. In spite of existing legislation against both domestic violence and femicide, aggressors often go unpunished. Women of color are especially at risk, with individuals who belong to two or more disadvantaged groups having experienced a in homicide rates.

Young men of color are at highest risk of violence overall, with a higher chance of being murdered than young white men. Afro-Brazilians are also the main victims of police brutality, accounting for of police killings. Afro-Brazilian males are also the majority in Brazil鈥檚 overcrowded prison system鈥攖he in the world鈥攚ith 75 percent of all prisoners being young men of color. In addition to being more subjected to violence, the homicide rates for people of color increased last year, even as it fell 6.8 percent for white Brazilians.

Although disadvantaged, these groups will likely play an important role in the upcoming elections鈥攅specially women. Women represent 52.5 percent of the electorate, and of female voters are still undecided鈥攁 number that increases among lower class women, who tend to be Afro-Brazilian. These groups may be underrepresented in politics, but female and Afro-Brazilian votes alike will be decisive in this election. Candidates are mainly white and male and should consider adapting to include these groups鈥 policy concerns in order to garner their support. This includes revising their agendas to incorporate 鈥攁 priority for these groups鈥攁nd public policy that protects their rights, as well as avoiding making offensive public statements.聽聽

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Brazil Institute

The Brazil Institute鈥攖he only country-specific policy institution focused on Brazil in Washington鈥攁ims to deepen understanding of Brazil鈥檚 complex landscape and strengthen relations between Brazilian and U.S. institutions across all sectors.聽 Our mission is to provide thoughtful leadership and innovative ideas to help democracies evolve and enhance their capacity to deliver results. We achieve this by producing independent research and programs that bridge the gap between scholarship and policy, while serving as a hub for policymakers, scholars, and private sector leaders.聽  Read more