by Emilee Gaebler
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BRASÍLIA, Brazil – Last Wednesday, November 2, Marcelo Freixo, a popular human rights activist, was forced out of Brazil.  Freixo and his family fled the country to an undisclosed European nation with the help of Amnesty International.

In recent months, Freixo has received at least seven different death threats and there is a $230,000 price on his head.  He is forced to travel in a bullet-proof car and to have 24 hour security guards.  Since 2008, his activism against the militia groups has made him the focus for much animosity; however recently the threats have increased in frequency.

“I plan to stay outside Brazil for a while.  I want this time to adjust my security precautions and to call the attention of the authorities.  I’m treating this as my own personal problem but clearly it is a public security problem too,” was Freixo’s statement to Reuters news agency.

Freixo has become a target due to his work investigating and bringing to justice many of those involved with the militia groups taking over the slums.  In 2008, when two investigative journalists were killed for their rumored exposé on the militia groups, Freixo was chosen to lead a commission.  The commission was tasked with examining these groups made up of former police officers and military members.

Originally termed the Unidades de Policia Pacificadora (UPP or Pacifying Police Units) these groups were supported for their role in eliminating the control that drug gangs had in the slums.  Unfortunately, with the power vacuum left by the absence of drug gangs, many of the militia groups have become corrupt.

Now, the militias are the ones who control the slums.  They extort money, use violence and even kill opposition.  As well, basic services in the slums like water, gas and transportation are managed by them.  The militias control is almost more threatening because they intimately understand the system and the strategic loopholes that exist.   The Rio newspaper, O Globo reported that roughly 55 slums are controlled by drug gangs and close to 105 slums are controlled by a militia group.

Freixo’s 2008 commission ended up indicting over 200 people, including a number of high profile politicians who supported the militias knowing that they were corrupt.  Although many involved were punished, Freixo’s biggest concern was that the main support for the militias, the funding, was not stopped.

“We put a lot of people in prison, which was important as it weakened the militias.  But we need to hit them financially.  Above all it is a business.”

Just months ago, Judge Patricia Acioli was murdered.  She took a firm stance against the militias and received multiple death threats for her decisions.  Police involvement is suspected in her murder as the bullets used by the killers were police issue.

Freixo intends to return to Brazil, he stressed that he is not giving up on the fight and announced plans to run for Mayor in 2012.

 

For more information, please see;

The Rio Times – State Deputy Marcelo Freixo Flees Militias in Brazil – 3 Novermber 2011

BBC News – Rio Lawmaker Marcelo Freixo to Flee Rio After Threats – 1 November 2011

The Guardian – Mafia Assassination Threat Forces Brazil MP Into Exile – 31 October 2011

Reuters – Anti-Crime Politician To Flee Brazil After Threats – 31 October 2011