Risk of criminalization of Condepe
Human rights organizations say charges against former vice president must not be used to discredit the Council
On November 22, an operation conducted by the Civil Police and the São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office resulted in the arrest of 32 people suspected of involvement in organized crime. The only person whose name was released was Luiz Carlos dos Santos, at the time vice president of Condepe (State Council for the Defense of the Rights of the Human Person). Civil society organizations believe that his arrest is being used to cast doubt on and discredit one the most important public bodies in São Paulo for the protection of human rights. Luiz Carlos dos Santos was removed from office on November 25.
This assessment is based on a statement released by the São Paulo State Public Security Department claiming that Condepe has been creating “news that police organizations have been acting incorrectly” and that the Council “plants news that damages the image of the police”. The State Justice Secretary reinforced this point of view by telling the press that he is already looking into proposals to reform the Council with the justification of “preventing the election of people who are incompatible with the decorum required by the position”.
Ever since the creation of Condepe, in 1992, a number of measures have been proposed to modify its authority, independence and autonomy. The most recent proposal attempted to revoke its power to nominate and appoint the São Paulo state police ombudsman, a key position for overseeing the state’s security forces and investigating police abuse.
On Friday, November 25, Conectas, ITTC (Land, Employment and Citizenship Institute), IBCCrim (Brazilian Criminal Sciences Institute), Pastoral Carcerária (the Catholic Church’s prisoner outreach service), Justiça Global, the Brazilian Committee of Human Rights Defenders, the Human Rights Center of Sapopemba and the Gaspar Garcia Human Rights Center sent a letter to the Deputy Brazilian Attorney General, Déborah Duprat, condemning the association between the conduct of one individual and the work of Condepe. They also requested information on the proposals submitted by the São Paulo state government to “reform” the Council.
“Despite the charges against the aforementioned council member, which we hope are properly investigated and clarified following the due process of law, we condemn the willful and harmful association between the conduct of one individual and the questioning and discrediting of one of the most important public bodies for the protection of human rights, which is responsible for receiving, investigating and monitoring numerous complaints,” reads the letter.
The organizations also want to know what measures are being taken by the São Paulo authorities to guarantee the security of the confidential data seized from the offices of Condepe during the operation. This data includes information from people who have reported human rights violations to the Council.
A copy of the letter was sent to the Special Office for Human Rights of the Presidency and to the Human Rights Commission of the São Paulo State Legislature.
- Click here to read the letter in full.
