Brazil Threatened with Economic Sanctions by the OAS for Child Abuse

The Governor of São Paulo, Brazil, Geraldo Alckmin, says he intends to invite the seven judges on the Organization of American States’ Interamerican Human Rights Court to visit his state.

Alckmin said the visit would prove that São Paulo does follow human rights norms in its juvenile delinquent retention centers (reform schools), such as the Tatuapé Febem.

On November 30, the OAS court made a series of recommendations for improvements at the Tatuapé Febem following reports of rebellions, torture and deaths at that reform school.

The state secretary of Justice and Citizen Defense, Hédio Silva Junior, said that he does not expect the case to evolve further.

"The November 30 decision by the OAS court does not aggravate the situation. On November 17 we published our own recommendations for resolving the problem," he said, "and I believe the international judges will find them sufficient."

The Interamerican Human Rights Court at the Organization of American States, which has been holding hearings on cases of abuses at the Tatuapé juvenile retention center has announced its decision in the form of a series of recommendations.

The Tatuapé Febem has been the scene of numerous riots and inmate rebellions. Since 2004 Brazilian NGOs that are active in human rights have denounced cases of torture and deaths at the Tatuapé Febem.

The court made the following recommendations: that measures be taken to impede further rebellions; that the physical integrity and the lives of the inmates and center personnel be protected; that the administrator of the center identify people who practice torture and abuse, and punish them accordingly.

The court also urges that management in at Febem halt prolonged confinements, known as "trancas"; make a substantial reduction in the number of inmates; separate inmates in accordance with international norms; provide inmates with medical assistance; make regular inspections of the facilities and report back to the Interamerican Human Rights court every two months.

If the court’s recommendations are not followed it is possible that Brazil will face economic and political sanctions.

ABr

Tags:

You May Also Like

Lula Goes to Paris for Bastille Day and Brazil Year in France

According to a statement by France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio ...

How the Free Software Movement Is Winning the War in Brazil

Brazil made an impression on the free software world during the past five years ...

Presidents Bush and Lula from the US and Brazil

Bush Just Learned That Brazil Is No US Backyard Any Longer

The most interesting thing about the recent visit by President Bush to Brazil is ...

Brazil on a Roll: 5% Growth in 2010 and 5th Largest Economy by 2016

The Brazilian government is considering extending stimulus tax cuts on home appliances even as ...

Brazilian Indians Reoccupy Lands. Farmers React with Death Threats and Lynching Attempt

Two weeks ago, the Maxakali indigenous people reoccupied their lands in rural areas in ...

Amazon: A Record to Be Ashamed of

Producers from the south have invaded the city of Belém, state of Pará, buying ...

Overcrowding and Lack of Maintenance Leave 5 Dead in Rio’s Charming Trolley Car

The Santa Teresa trolley car, one of Rio de Janeiro’s postcard attractions, had an ...

Brazil Will Produce All the Oil it Needs by 2006

In a public hearing, yesterday, before the Senate Economic Affairs Commission, the president of ...

Brazilian Army in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio, Brazil’s Most Violent City, Calls Army to the Rescue

Brazilian Governor Sergio Cabral Filho has formally requested that Brazil's army intervene to contain ...

Brazil Ready to Help Exporters Hit by Cheap Dollar

The Brazilian government is preparing a package of measures to help exporters hit by ...