Conectas releases its 2023 Annual Activity Report

The organization highlights a year of challenges and progress in the defense of fundamental rights and democracy in Brazil; read further

Conectas is releasing its 2023 annual activity report. The document highlights a year marked by major challenges in the defense of fundamental rights and democracy in Brazil.

The organization made an effort on several fronts to ensure observance of the Federal Constitution, to defend a safe internet without misinformation, immigrant rights, sexual and reproductive rights, and the expansion of the space for civil society to operate. The fight against racism and for gender equality was also a constant priority throughout the year.

Within the federal government, the creation of ministries focused on human rights, such as the ministries of Indigenous Peoples, Racial Equality, Women and Human Rights, was a positive step. However, Conectas highlighted that there were still historical rights violations, which required vigorous action from the organization to demand responses and resources for the implementation of public human rights policies.

Institutional violence in Brazilian states was another major challenge. In São Paulo, Conectas actively worked with local movements and rights defense institutions to contain police abuses, especially during the “Escudo” operation. The organization has promoted significant initiatives, such as the complaint to the UN Human Rights Council and legal action to ensure the use of body cameras by the police. In Rio de Janeiro, Conectas worked to defend human rights through the ADPF (Action Against a Violation of a Constitutional Fundamental Right) of the Favelas, focusing on protecting the State’s main victims: black and impoverished people. Furthermore, the organization upheld its commitment to fight against torture in prisons and therapeutic communities.

In the area of socio-environmental rights, Conectas managed, through the judiciary and executive branches, to resume essential programs and mechanisms to fight deforestation and the climate crisis, such as the Amazon Fund and the National Environmental Council (Conama). The organization also fought against the invasion of indigenous territories and slave labor, in addition to working with quilombola and rural communities impacted by major developments.

Internally, Conectas’ new board of directors took on the mission of strengthening its focus on the Global South and implementing anti-racist policies. The organization earned a registration with the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), expanding its participation in international debates on human rights.

Check out the full report: