(Washington, DC, June 29, 2007) – The government of Rio de Janeiro state must ensure a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation of the killing of unarmed individuals during recent clashes between criminal groups and police, Human Rights Watch said today. Anyone found to have unlawfully killed any of the victims should be prosecuted.
 A thorough investigation of these killings is absolutely critical for establishing the truth and improving public confidence in local law enforcement. The state must ensure independent inquiries that will lead to successful prosecutions, no matter who the perpetrators are.  José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch | |
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According to government figures quoted in press reports, 44 people were killed during a two-month police operation aimed at dismantling drug trafficking gangs in Complexo do Alemão, Rio de Janeiro’s poorest neighborhood. Violence reached a peak on Wednesday, when 19 people were killed during confrontations with the police. According to allegations widely reported in the Brazilian media, the police carried out many of the killings through summary executions.
“A thorough investigation of these killings is absolutely critical for establishing the truth and improving public confidence in local law enforcement,” said José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. “The state must ensure independent inquiries that will lead to successful prosecutions, no matter who the perpetrators are.”
