Global Affirmative Action Praxis Project (GAAPP)

(Kimberlé Crenshaw, Oscar Vilhena Vieira, Julia Mello Neiva)

One of the premier human rights organizations in Brazil, Conectas, is buzzing with the energy that shapes lasting reform. On Tuesday, we met with one of the founding directors, Oscar, and today we met with the second founding director, Julia along with five other members. Their two main umbrella programs are Global South and Justice Program. More on the programs can be found at http://www.conectas.org/index.php?idioma=en.

One of the areas of their work that was particularly interesting to me is their work to remedy human rights violation in the Espíritu Santo prison system. Conectas has been working with Justiça Global and the Espírito Santo State Human Rights Council to produce reports on these rampant violations. Particularly striking is the several Espírito Santo have been killed and dismembered over the last three years. In addition, groups of pre-trial detainees were kept in metal containers where the temperature could reach 122 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius). A side-event on this issue was held in Geneva on March 15^th. It serves to put these issues in the international spotlight.  Hopefully, the Brazilian federal government will respond to international pressures to instill better conditions and accountability mechanisms in Espíritu Santo’s prison system. However, Conectas is not resting or relying on the international community for change.  They continue to develop litigation strategies and exert pressure on internal Brazilian government.  Recently, the Superior High Court of Justice ruled that the men being held in metal containers were to be released.

It’s quite inspiring to meet with groups like Connectas, whose reach is extends to international arenas but also knows the worth of internal strategizing. They are also quite committed to pursing and building south-south dialog in all its endeavors. I reflected on my research on the impact of the Olympics and Brazil’s emergence on the world stage as a significant part of the population still lingers in poverty.  It is a moment when international agencies and groups will be quite attuned to happenings in Brazil.  It a moment when we can make these injustices very visible. Nevertheless, ensuring that poor people are not exploited and forgotten during the Rio Olympics, accountability policies have to also stem from mobilization within.  This is one means of ensuring sustainable reform.

Read more about the Espíritu Santo cases here.