Brazil’s public security institutions use force excessively on a frequent basis, disproportionately impacting Black people, those living in favelas, street vendors, protesters, people deprived of their liberty and other vulnerable groups. Under international human rights law, such violence can amount to torture and other ill-treatment, or arbitrary or extrajudicial killing.
On 31 March 2025, representatives of social movements and non-governmental organisations took part in a workshop organized by Omega and Justiça Global in Rio de Janeiro. The topics covered included the main characteristics of less lethal weapons and the risks of their use, the application of international standards and reflections on structural racism and the use of force in Brazil. Participants discussed challenges and opportunities in achieving justice for abuses and preventing future abuses.
During the workshop, the United Nations Human Rights Guidance on Less Lethal Weapons in Law Enforcement was distributed, a tool which can be used to inform advocacy and legal interventions.
Access the Portuguese version here.
Participants included: Movimento Unidos dos Camelôs, Instituto Fogo Cruzado, Redes da Maré, Iniciativa Direito à Memória e Justiça Racial, Observatório de Favelas, NAJUP Luiza Mahin, Rede de Comunidades, Defensoria Pública, Mecanismo Nacional de Prevenção e Combate à Tortura, Mecanismo Estadual de Combate à Tortura do Rio de Janeiro, Tribunal de Justiça de Minas Gerais, Instituto Papo Reto, Anistia Internacional, Mídia 1508, Criola and Instituto de Estudos da Religião (ISER).
The activity was part-funded by the European Union.