Close to 64,000 Violent Deaths in Brazil, a New Record

Brasilia, Jan 17 (Prensa Latina) Brazil broke the record of violent deaths in 2017, with 63,880 cases, according to data from the 29th edition of the World Report on Human Rights, released by a non-governmental organization and amplified today by local media.

That year, the deaths committed in this giant South American country by police in service and rest increased by 20 percent compared to 2016.

The investigation, which analyzed the situation in more than 100 countries, pointed out that in the chapter on Brazil the increase in police fatality after the federal intervention in Rio de Janeiro between February and December 2018 draws attention.

According to the source, from March to October, when citing data from the Institute of Public Security (ISP) of Rio de Janeiro, such point increased by two percent in the state, while deaths committed by police grew by 44 percent.

Recent official data indicate that the Brazilian police killed 5,144 people in 2017. In the state of Rio de Janeiro, 1,444 people died at the hands of police officers between January and November 2018, the ISP reported.

It indicates that President Jair Bolsonaro should address the public security crisis faced by Brazil through measures that reinforce respect for human rights and, at the same time, reduce crime.

He recalls that on his first day in office, on January 1, the ex-military dictated a decree in which he instructed the government secretary to 'supervise, coordinate, monitor and accompany the activities' of non-governmental organizations.

During his campaign, Bolsonaro promised to give a 'carte blanche' to the police to kill people who allegedly committed crimes.

The new governor of Rio de Janeiro, Wilson Witzel, who belongs to the Social Liberal Party (PSOL, Bolsonaro), recommended that the police should shoot to kill, without warning, against anyone carrying a rifle, even if the person it is not threatening others, and it also suggested that snipers and drones be used.

International human rights standards prohibit police forces from deliberately killing people, except when this is necessary to protect their lives or those of others.

Security experts warn that the death toll could rise after Bolsonaro signed a decree this week to relax the possession of firearms in the population.