The UN calls for an investigation into the killing of 121 people in a police operation in Rio de Janeiro

After the deadliest police operation in the history of Rio de Janeiro, carried out this Tuesday, UN Secretary General António Guterres declared that he was “extremely concerned” about the large number of deaths.

In a message transmitted this Wednesday by his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, the UN chief emphasized that the use of force by police authorities must be aligned with international human rights laws, and called for an immediate investigation into the episode.

Reports point to at least 121 dead

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, also requested “a comprehensive reform of police methods in Brazil”.

The large-scale police operation occurred on October 28 in the communities of Complejo del Alemán and Complejo de la Penha, with the objective of carrying out nearly 100 court orders against individuals linked to organized crime groups.

According to official data, at least 121 people died, including four police officers. Another 81 people were arrested.

Turk noted that he fully understands “the challenges of dealing with violent and organized criminal groups like the Red Command.” However, he stated that “the long list of operations that result in many deaths, which disproportionately affect people of African descent, raises concerns.” questions about the way these raids are carried out”.

“High police lethality has been normalized”

The person responsible for ensuring human rights declared that, for decades, “the high lethality associated with the police in Brazil has been normalized,” especially in areas like Rio de Janeiro, where it has increased significantly.

According to Turk, “Brazil needs to break the cycle of extreme brutality and ensure that public security operations meet international standards on the use of force.”

Turk called for prompt, independent and effective investigations into Tuesday’s events and a complete police reform. He emphasized that any use of potentially lethal force must be aligned with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and non-discrimination.

Systemic racism

The High Commissioner added that “addressing systemic racism against people of African descent in Brazil is essential.” He added that “it is time to put an end to a system that perpetuates racism, discrimination and injustice.”

According to the Independent International Expert Mechanism to Promote Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement, killings of people of African descent by security agents in Brazil are “widespread.”

It is estimated that 5,000 Afro-descendants die every year in the country at the hands of the policewith young black people from impoverished areas being the main affected.