Human rights coalition criticizes the PSB party for removing attorneys from the Favela ADPF
Action pending before the Federal Supreme Court, known as the Favela ADPF, attempts to curtail police lethality in Rio de Janeiro, and is a reference in the defense of the lives of community residents
Dozens of human rights entities, favela movements, and academic groups put out a note of repudiation to the National Executive Board of the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB, Partido Socialista Brasileiro) for its decision to demote the attorneys that represent the party in the Action to Claim Non-compliance with a Constitutional Principle (ADPF) 635, known as the Favela ADPF. The measure, according to the organizations, represents a “severe attack against the defense of human rights” and an attempt to “silence the denunciation of the massacre that occurred in the Penha and Alemão Complexes”, in Rio de Janeiro, the last October 28, which left over 120 dead.
The note is signed by: Justiça Global, Educação e Cidadania de Afrodescendentes Carentes – Educafro, Associação Direitos Humanos em Rede – Conectas Direitos Humanos, Associação Redes de Desenvolvimento da Maré – Redes da Maré, Instituto de Estudos da Religião – ISER, Movimento Mães de Manguinhos, Rede de Comunidades e Movimentos contra a Violência, Coletivo Fala Akari, Coletivo Papo Reto, Iniciativa Direito à Memória e Justiça Racial — IDMRJ, Movimento Negro Unificado — MNU, Grupo de Estudos Novos Ilegalismos (GENI/UFF), Centro pela Justiça e o Direito Internacional — CEJIL, Laboratório de Direitos Humanos da UFRJ — LADIH, Núcleo de Assessoria Jurídica Universitária Popular Luiza Mahin — NAJUP, and Instituto de Defesa da População Negra — IDPN, Programa Institucional de Violência e Saúde — PIVS/Fiocruz.
The document criticizes the demotion of attorneys Daniel Sarmento, Ademar Borges, João Gabriel Pontes, and Eduardo Adami – responsible for the case since 2019 – after a divergence with the PSB Executive Board on a request for a federal investigation of the massacre. “This is an act of disrespect and delegitimization of the historical struggle to hold the State accountable in executions resulting from police raids”, the entities state, adding that the decision represents “an ethical and political step backwards” for a party that claims to be committed to social justice and human rights.
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The text further highlights that ADPF 635 is a milestone in the defense of life and dignity of the Black population of the city outskirts, the result of years of social mobilization. “No partisan dispute or electoral calculation should overcome the defense of life, truth, and justice”, the note concludes, asking the PSB to review the decision and reestablish its commitment to the cause.
