Human Rights

São Paulo protest against Speaker Cunha, bill tightening abortion laws

SÃO PAULO — Protesters took to the streets on Friday to voice their opposition to proposed legislation that would toughen Brazil’s already strict laws on abortion, extending criminal proceedings those who assist, or provide information leading to, the termination of a pregnancy.

The bill, PL 5069/2013, which is sponsored by conservative deputy and embattled speaker of the lower house of Congress, Eduardo Cunha, was approved by a parliamentary commission on 21 October, and can now go to a vote by lawmakers.

Currently, abortion is legal only in a small number of specific circumstances, including if the pregnancy is the result of a rape, if the mother’s life is in danger, and if the foetus is confirmed to have anencephaly.

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HRW report: Brazil’s prisons are a “human rights disaster”

VICE News

SÃO PAULO — Prisons controlled by criminal gangs rather than guards and filled with moldy and windowless cells stinking of urine and feces in which dozens of men are forced to compete for floor space on which to sleep — life for inmates in Brazil’s state of Pernambuco amounts to a “human rights disaster,” according to a new report released on Tuesday.

The report was compiled by the US-based group Human Rights Watch (HRW) that visited four prisons and interviewed past and current prisoners, their families, and security officials in the poverty stricken northeastern state.

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Pressure Mounts for Feliciano to Quit Brazil Human Rights Role

Ever since São Paulo deputy and Christian Social Party (PSC) member Marco Feliciano was elected as president of Brazil’s Human Rights and Minorities Commission (CDHM), he has gained notoriety throughout the country over accusations that he made racist, homophobic and misogynist statements, which sparked protests in over forty cities in Brazil, and other countries including the US and France, demanding that he be removed from the role.

Protest against Marco Feliciano. Photo by José Cruz/ABr.

Protest against Marco Feliciano have spread to 43 cities in Brazil and as far abroad as Berlin and Paris. Photo by José Cruz/ABr.

Feliciano was voted in by the Commission with eleven votes of a possible 18 (only twelve took part in the end) on 7 March and, following further debates, it was decided on 26 March that he would keep his position.

However, it was reported that attempts to convince Feliciano to step down would continue, including by Henrique Eduardo Alves, President of the Chamber of Deputies, who has weighed into the debate, saying that the CDHM, given its importance, cannot remain at this “untenable” impasse.

Despite its size, the PSC has two members on the Commission, whereas the far bigger Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) and Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) are not represented.

While he has enjoyed general support from his party and Conservative Christian groups, others question whether Feliciano’s views on minorities make him the best choice for Brazil’s top human rights official. In part because in 2011, Feliciano took to Twitter to say that people of African descent were cursed and has also made many comments seen as extremely offensive by sexual minorities and atheists.

The latest protests calling for his resignation have seen vigils and the burning of effigies in front of government buildings in Brasília. There have also been protests in support of his role and Feliciano has spoken of his determination to stay, saying he has the assurances of the Commission.

Commentators believe his position is untenable and if he does not resign, he will have to be removed from office as the Commission has not functioned in any meaningful way since the controversial election.

Read the full article on The Rio Times website.