Brazil: Statement to the CESCR by OMCT, Justiça Global, and the National Movement of Street Boys and Girls
Based on the conviction that torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment and other forms of violence are related in many ways to – and are often directly caused by - disrespect for economic, social and cultural rights, Justiça Global, the National Movement of Street Boys and Girls (Movimento Nacional de Meninos e Meninas de Rua - MNMMR) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) came together to prepare an alternative report to support the Committee’s consideration of the Brazilian State party report.
In our report, the economic, social and cultural root causes of violence and, indeed, the impact of violence upon the possibility of enjoying economic, social and cultural rights, are examined from the specific perspective of “the criminalization of poverty”, with a particular emphasis on Brazil’s urban areas. The term “criminalization of poverty” refers to a clear and observable phenomenon that sees the poorest members of Brazilian society identified by state and quasi-state actors as criminal, or potentially criminal elements simply because of their socio-economic status and on that basis being targeted for extortion, arbitrary arrest and detention, physical violence or, indeed, summary execution.