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Brazil: Statistics on violent crime, 1988-1992

Please find attached several documents that provide information on violent crime in Brazil. In addition to these, please find included copies of the general index pages of recent reports by Americas Watch that report on violence in rural areas and violence against women. More information from these reports can be provided upon further request.

The attached articles report an increase in crime over the last few years, apparently related to the country's recession.

A health ministry report stated in 1991 that violence and accidents are the third cause of mortality in Brazil, accounting for some 150,000 deaths every year (Xinhua 4 July 1991). The ministry stated that 25 per cent of those suffering violent deaths in Brazil are victims of murder, while five per cent commit suicide and 15 per cent die of unknown causes (Ibid.).

According to the attached reports, in the state of Rio de Janeiro alone, homicides (victims unspecified) averaged nearly 8,000 a year from 1989 to 1991 (NotiSur 22 Jan. 1992). Cases of kidnapping for ransom reportedly increased in Rio de Janeiro in recent years, with 91 known cases in 1991 and 146 in 1992 (Latin American Newsletters, 7 Jan. 1993, 4). Since the wealthiest individuals have taken measures to avoid kidnapping, abductors seem to have targeted mostly businessmen from small and medium-sized companies (Ibid.). Some 6,000 such businessmen, from a total of 150,000 in Rio de Janeiro, have reported some problem with kidnappers (Ibid.).

In addition to the index pages from the Americas Watch reports on rural violence, the attached article from the Brazil Report summarizes the findings of Americas Watch (Latin American Newsletters 9 July 1992, 8). The summary states that the fight for land in rural areas has led to a "spiral of violence" in which those responsible enjoy almost total impunity (Ibid.). The report adds that the authorities' refusal to enforce the law is a problem found throughout Brazil, highlights "the failure of the Brazilian judicial system to deal with the violence against rural workers, landless peasants, activists and all those associated with the fight for land," and adds that the conflict with large landowners has accelerated environmental destruction, displacing peasants to the large cities and the Amazon region (Ibid.).

Another attached article from the Brazil Report summarizes the Americas Watch study on violence against women, stating that "Brazilian women are the victims of frequent domestic violence, rape and so-called crimes of passion, with the perpetrators of the abuses rarely punished" (Latin American Newsletters 28 Nov. 1991, 8). The summary adds that more than 70 per cent of the cases of violence against women reportedly take place in the home and, although there seems to have been some improvement in recent years, judicial decisions "perpetuate a culture of impunity in cases of domestic violence that puts at risk the Brazilian woman" (Ibid.). As an example, the report states that in 2,000 cases of crimes and violence against women registered at a Rio de Janeiro police station, no one was punished (Ibid.).

Other attachments report a marked recent increase in drug trafficking in Brazil, although reports of violence associated with this type of crime in Brazil are few, limited mostly to killings of youths associated with the traffickers in urban areas. One of the attached reports states that drug traffickers have established a sophisticated network in Brazil, including legal companies and highly qualified professionals such as lawyers, accountants, economists and engineers (Latin American Newsletters 10 Jan. 1991, 4). The report adds that the Brazilian traffickers have links with their Colombian, Peruvian and Bolivian counterparts and appear to be associated with the Italian mafias (Ibid.).

Another field of violent criminal activity which is reported by several sources is the violent death of street youths, often referred to as "child killings." Various documents report that out of an estimated 7 million youths (under 18 years of age) living on the streets of Brazil, approximately 4,600 were murdered between 1988 and 1990. Some sources, however, point out that the available statistics are imprecise and the actual number could be higher. The attached reports indicate many street youths live in a violent environment and engage in crime, ranging from petty theft and prostitution to assaults, robberies and drug trafficking. Violent deaths of youths, encountered mostly by males of 15 to 17 years of age, are often attributed to "death squads" which reportedly include in a number of cases members of the police forces, although some homicides are attributed to persons involved in drug trafficking and to other street youths. Some killings and abductions of youths are also attributed to criminal organizations involved in the illegal traffic of body organs. For more detailed information on the subject, please consult the attached documents.

 References

Latin American Newsletters. 7 January 1993. Latin American Regional Reports: Brazil Report. "Franco Acts to Curb Kidnap Industry." London: Latin American Newsletters.

. Latin American Regional Reports: Brazil Report. 9 July 1992. "Condemnation of Land-Related Violence." London: Latin American Newsletters.

. Latin American Regional Reports: Brazil Report. 28 November 1991. "Violence Against Women." London: Latin American Newsletters.

. Latin American Regional Reports: Brazil Report. 10 January 1991. "Brazil a Paradise for Drug-Traffickers." London: Latin American Newsletters.

NotiSur (University of New Mexico). 22 January 1992. "Brazil: Notes on Crime in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro State." (NEXIS)

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 4 July 1991. "Violent Deaths Rank Third in Brazil." (NEXIS)

 Attachments

Agence France Presse. 20 November 1992. "At Least Four Brazilian Street Children Killed Every Day: Social Workers." (NEXIS)

. 20 November 1992. "At Least 1,500 Brazilian Street Children Killed Yearly: Report." (NEXIS)

. 5 September 1992. "Scandals, Economic Woes Escalate Violence in Brazil." (NEXIS)

Inter Press Service. 18 November 1991. "Brazil: Commission Confirms Organized Violence Against Minors." (NEXIS)

Latin American Newsletters. 7 January 1993. Latin American Regional Reports: Brazil Report. "Franco Acts to Curb Kidnap Industry." London: Latin American Newsletters.

. 13 August 1992. Latin American Regional Reports: Brazil Report. "Child Killings Still the Prime Concern-Impunity Encouraging Further Abuses, Says Amnesty Report." London: Latin American Newsletters.

. Latin American Regional Reports: Brazil Report. 9 July 1992. "Condemnation of Land-Related Violence." London: Latin American Newsletters.

. Latin American Regional Reports: Brazil Report. 19 March 1992. "Congressional Probe of Child Killings-Abducted Youngsters Allegedly Exported as Organ Banks." London: Latin American Newsletters.

. Latin American Regional Reports: Brazil Report. 28 November 1991. "Violence Against Women." London: Latin American Newsletters.

. Latin American Regional Reports: Brazil Report. 10 January 1991. "Brazil a Paradise for Drug-Traffickers." London: Latin American Newsletters.

NotiSur (University of New Mexico). 18 August 1992. "Brazil: Statistics on Violent Deaths." (NEXIS)

. 22 January 1992. "Brazil: Notes on Crime in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro State." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 22 January 1993. BC Cycle. "Brazil Violence Sparks Debate on Death Penalty." (NEXIS)

Time. 1 October 1990. Special Issue. "Brazil: Crimes of Passion." (NEXIS)

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 4 July 1991. "Violent Deaths Rank Third in Brazil." (NEXIS)

Topics: Violence against women,