Guarani Kaiowá leader killed; a judge sentences ex-cops over Marielle Franco killing

Association

Guarani Kaiowá land defender killed

On 18th September 2024, violent police actions in Mato Grosso do Sul resulted in the death of Neri Ramos da Silva, a Guarani Kaiowá Indigenous land defender, during a crackdown on the Nhanderu Marangatu Indigenous community. The violence occurred after the Guarani Kaiowá retook part of their traditional territory on 12th September, an area that overlaps with the Barra estate and is recognised as part of the Nhanderu Marangatu Indigenous Territory (TI).

The Nhanderu Marangatu territory was demarcated in 2005, but legal challenges by landowners have stalled the process, leaving the Guarani Kaiowá community in a state of vulnerability and conflict. The lack of resolution has perpetuated a climate of insecurity, enabling violent confrontations and human rights violations. Since July 2024, the region has seen a series of violent incidents targeting the Guarani Kaiowá, including shootings, river poisoning and arson targeting cultural and spiritual sites.

96 civil society groups and organisations, including the Pastoral Land Commission (CPT), the Indigenous Missionary Council (CIMI) and various movements fighting for land and human rights, published a note of solidarity with the Guarani Kaiowá, expressing their rejection of violence against indigenous peoples. In the note, the organisations state: “We, the signatories of this note, demand that the Brazilian state authorities, the government and the judiciary, give priority to the protection of indigenous communities to avoid further bloodshed in this land". The document questions the actions of the judiciary, which 'cannot remain silent in an unequal battle in which only indigenous people are killed, while the perpetrators and masterminds go unpunished”.

Justice for Marielle Franco

On 30th October 2024, former police officers Ronnie Lessa and Élcio Queiroz were convicted and sentenced by a jury in Rio de Janeiro. Both confessed to the 2018 murders of Rio de Janeiro councillor Marielle Franco and her driver Anderson Gomes. Lessa, who fired 14 shots in the attack, received 78 years and nine months, while Queiroz, the getaway driver, was sentenced to 59 years and eight months. The verdict represents a milestone in addressing impunity for crimes against human rights defenders but highlights the need to prosecute those who masterminded the murders.

Franco, a Black, LGBTQI+ activist and critic of police violence and corruption, was targeted due to her work advocating for marginalised groups, including women, Afro-Brazilians and Indigenous peoples. During the trial, evidence emerged linking the murder to influential politicians and organised crime figures who viewed Franco as an obstacle to profitable housing developments. The accused masterminds, including the Brazão brothers and a former police chief, are yet to stand trial. Judge Glioche, presiding over the trial, underscored the broader implications, noting that the convictions send a message to combat systemic violence and corruption.

Human rights organisations and several UN experts called for continued investigations to hold all perpetrators accountable, in line with international protocols such as the Minnesota Protocol on investigating unlawful deaths:

“The verdict can give all victims of structural discrimination and violence, and their families, hope that justice and effective remedies are within their reach in Brazil and not distant, untenable concepts. To honour such hope, Brazil must address systemic racism and discrimination in the justice system and do more to ensure fast, impartial and independent access to justice for all victims of violence in Brazil.”

Expression

Attack against journalists during municipal elections

The Coalizão em Defesa do Jornalismo (CDJor), a coalition of 11 organisations defending press freedom, documented over 37,000 offensive and derogatory posts targeting the press on social media platforms during the first round of Brazil’s municipal election campaign. CDJor partnered with the Internet and Data Science Laboratory (Labic) at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES) to monitor 200 accounts belonging to journalists, media outlets and mayoral candidates.

For example, between 26th September and 6 October 2024, 1,198 aggressive posts were recorded on Instagram, 1,015 on TikTok, and 185 on X, representing an increase of more than ten times compared to the previous week, despite the X platform still being blocked in Brazil during the analysed period.

CDJor also recorded at least seven physical or verbal assaults against journalists during political rallies and interviews in nine major cities. These incidents often stemmed from candidates reacting defensively to challenging questions posed by journalists.

Journalist targeted by a state deputy

On 2nd September 2024, state deputy Denian Couto (Podemos-PR) publicly referred to journalist Amanda Audi as “semi-illiterate” during her appearance on the television programme Roda Viva, where mayoral candidate Pablo Maral (PRTB) was interviewed. Couto’s remarks, shared widely on his YouTube channel and radio programme, incited further online harassment against Audi and other journalists present at the event.

According to civil society, the harassment escalated with coordinated attacks on Audi’s social media platforms, alongside verbal attacks targeting other participants of the programme. Couto’s comments are not an isolated incident. In a report by The Intercept Brasil, Amanda Audi previously exposed allegations that Couto had issued death threats against a former journalist colleague.

Additionally, Couto has been accused of threatening a journalist with whom he had an emotional relationship. His attacks on Audi during Roda Viva followed a gaffe she made during the interview, which Couto seized upon to question her credibility and attack journalism as a profession. Known for his close ties to former President Jair Bolsonaro, Couto’s actions reflect a broader culture of hostility towards the press that has intensified in recent years.

The Union of Professional Journalists of Paraná (SindijorPR), the Union of Professional Journalists of Northern Paraná (Sindijor Norte PR) and the National Federation of Journalists (FENAJ) condemned Couto’s remarks. The organisations highlighted the need for accountability and stronger protections for journalists, particularly in light of increasing verbal and online attacks.

Armed attack on TV Cidade

On 25th September 2024, four armed men stormed the TV Cidade building, kidnapping a security guard and a reporter before setting fire to equipment, which forced the station off the air. The Federação Nacional dos Jornalistas (FENAJ) and the Maranhão Journalists’ Union called on police authorities, the Maranhão State Security Department, and the Maranhão Regional Electoral Court to conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the incident.

Restrictions on journalists covering a protest

On 24th September 2024, journalists from TV Liberal and SBT faced restrictions while covering a protest by 450 Indigenous and Quilombola families in the Vale do Acará region, Pará. The protesters denounced the state government’s environmental licensing granted to the mining company Norky Hydro, arguing that the mining operations posed threats to their ancestral lands and way of life.

Authorities removed the TV Liberal crew in the morning and the SBT team, citing “security concerns” as justification. However, civil society widely viewed these actions as an attempt to suppress media coverage of the protest.

The Sindicato dos Jornalistas do Pará (SINJOR-PA) and the Federação Nacional dos Jornalistas (FENAJ) condemned the removal of journalists as a violation of press freedom.

Peaceful Assembly

Brazil’s Independence Day March highlights social media ban

On 7th September 2024, Brazil's Independence Day, thousands of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro marched along São Paulo's main avenue to protest against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes. The demonstration followed a nationwide ban on the platform X, ordered by Judge de Moraes in August 2024, after extended disputes with Elon Musk over free speech boundaries.

Judge de Moraes has spearheaded efforts to combat disinformation on social media, targeting far-right users. His crackdown intensified after Bolsonaro’s staunch supporters stormed Congress and the presidential palace on 8th January 2023. At the rally, Bolsonaro called for Judge de Moraes to face impeachment.