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

The inside of an Embraer 170 built in Brazil

Brazil Sells Jet to Lybia. It Might Be First of a Fleet

The Embraer 170 jet airplane purchased by Libyan oil company Syrte Oil should arrive ...

UN Urges Brazil to Ensure Human Rights to Its Indians

Despite some advances in their conditions and the Government's commitment to improve their situation ...

Iraqis Eating Brazilian Cheese

Polenguinho cheese, a well-known appetizer in Brazil, can now also be found on the ...

Brazil Hires Google and YouTube to Help Promote Brazilian Tourism

Brazilian tourism agency Embratur and Google have just launched a tool to promote Brazil ...

Oil Is Not Brazil’s Only Offshore Asset

I visited the Ceasa market in São Paulo recently and was struck by the ...

Brazil and Amnesty Clash

Brazil’s National Indian Foundation disputes the figures presented in an Amnesty International report about ...

Chile Gets 12 Brazilian Super Tucanos for Training Its Air Force

The Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer signed a contract to provide the Chilean Air Force ...

Brazilian Oil Sensor Manufacturer Eyeing the American Market

From laboratory experience to export technology. It was this way, thanks to a research ...

Meet Blue Granite, a Rare Charmer from Brazil

When he founded his company, Ferraz Brasil, Marcelo Ferraz had the aim of selling ...