UN condemns cameraman's death
The representative for South America of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Amerigo Incalcaterra, expressed concern about the violence in the context of social protests in Brazil; "Violence, in no way, is the means to claim rights," he stressed.
United Nations - The representative for South America of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Amerigo Incalcaterra, expressed concern about the violence in the context of social protests in Brazil, which in recent days has left at least one dead, several injured, and hundreds detained.
Incalcaterra condemned the death of cameraman Santiago Ilídio Andrade and expressed solidarity with his family. The media professional was injured last Thursday (February 6th), allegedly due to the actions of violent groups, during a demonstration in the city of Rio de Janeiro.
The representative also expressed concern over allegations of excessive use of force and arbitrary detentions of protesters and journalists by police forces.
He recalled that the Brazilian State has a duty to ensure that its police and law enforcement forces respect, at all times and under all circumstances, the principles of necessity and proportionality in the use of force, in accordance with international human rights treaties and standards.
Furthermore, the OHCHR representative urged individuals and groups participating in the protests not to resort to violence, so that all parties can establish a constructive and sustainable dialogue. "Violence is by no means the means to claim rights," he stressed.
Citing statements made in June 2013 by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, Incalcaterra called on Brazilian authorities to "guarantee the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as well as to prevent and investigate immediately, independently, impartially and effectively any excessive use of force."
He also commented that "peaceful protests and the freedom to report on their development are a fundamental aspect of a dynamic democracy and an indispensable tool for strengthening human rights."
Incalcaterra also explained that, although the Brazilian State has a responsibility to guarantee public safety through an adequate legislative framework – even during events like the FIFA World Cup – "this should not prevent or discourage the legitimate exercise of the right to demonstrate and protest."
In this regard, Incalcaterra offered the country's authorities technical advice and the OHCHR's international experience in human rights matters.