Media release – Weapons from Germany and Switzerland are used in police operations in Brazil. This often results in serious human rights violations against children and young people. An independent study by terre des hommes schweiz and terre des hommes Germany investigates seven exemplary cases of lethal gun violence and uncovers serious shortcomings in the control of state weapons stocks in Brazil. Together with the Brazilian Instituto Sou da Paz, the two terre des hommes organizations are calling for an immediate stop to the export of war material to Brazil.
Police violence in Brazil (picture Bruno Itan) has reached dramatic proportions. This is confirmed by an independent study by terre des hommes schweiz and terre des hommes Germany. The study was carried out in collaboration with the Instituto Sou da Paz in Brazil and contains recommendations for action for business and politics.
Many of the victims are children and young people from favelas, poor urban neighborhoods. “Most of them are male, black and poor,” says Andrea Zellhuber, an expert in violence prevention at terre des hommes schweiz, at the online media conference on June 1, 2021. The study entitled “Stop killing us!” uses seven case studies and an analysis of data, some of which is unpublished: The pistols, rifles, armored vehicles and helicopters used in police and military operations in Brazil are often German or Swiss-made.
The number of fatalities caused by gun violence at the hands of security forces in Brazil has been steadily increasing since 2013. A quarter of the people killed in 2019 were under the age of 19. “Four children and young people die at the hands of the police every day in Brazil,” says Andrea Zellhuber.
“As required by the correction initiative”
terre des hommes schweiz and terre des hommes Germany are calling for an immediate ban on all arms exports to Brazil in view of the war-like conditions in certain districts and the serious human rights violations.
“Arms exports to Brazil must be completely stopped immediately – as prescribed by EU law for countries with serious human rights violations and armed conflicts,” says Ralf Willinger, child rights expert at terre des hommes Germany. “Switzerland continues to export weapons to Brazil, even though the human rights situation there is devastating,” says Andrea Zellhuber from terre des hommes schweiz.
Last year, Swiss arms companies delivered war material worth over 30 million Swiss francs to Brazil. This puts the South American country in 8th place among the recipient countries of Swiss arms exports. “The example of Brazil clearly shows that there is an urgent need for stricter rules on the export of war material, as demanded by the corrective initiative,” says Andrea Zellhuber from terre des hommes schweiz.
The Swiss development organization is a member of the Alliance against Arms Exports to Civil War Countries, which launched the corrective initiative. The matter is expected to be discussed in the Council of States on June 3.
Inadequate control of state weapons stocks in Brazil
“The study shows that Brazil is unwilling or unable to control its state arms stocks. Misappropriation is taking place and a large number of weapons and ammunition are disappearing from official stocks, including many European brands,” explains Andrea Zellhuber from terre des hommes schweiz. “Many of these weapons and ammunition are then used for crimes and massacres.” Impunity for violent crimes is already very high in Brazil in general, she says: “It is extremely high for acts of violence committed by the police and military.”
Andrea Zellhuber from terre des hommes schweiz says: “We are calling on the governments and authorities in Germany and Switzerland to raise these abuses with Brazilian government agencies and to press for a stop to human rights violations.”
“Children and young people from our projects are afraid”
Employees and participants in terre des hommes projects in Brazil are also at risk. “Children and young people from our projects in São Paulo and the north-east of Brazil are afraid of the police. Time and again, they are abused or killed by the security forces, often simply because of their age, where they live or the color of their skin,” says Bruna Leite, country coordinator of terre des hommes in Brazil. “Some have to leave their homes because they are threatened and are no longer safe.”
About us
terre des hommes schweizTogether with Terre des hommes Suisse and terre des hommes Germany, we support 18 projects for children and young people and their families in Brazil. The focus of the project and campaign work is on the prevention of violence and the promotion of a culture of peace, as well as child protection, participation and education.
terre des hommes schweiz empowers young people in Africa, Latin America and Switzerland. Together with them, we fight poverty, violence and discrimination and campaign for the rights of children and young people and fair North-South relations.
Links
Study “Stop killing us! – Police violence against children and young people and the arms trade”:
https://www.terredeshommesschweiz.ch/waffenexport-studie-21
Campaign against gun violence in Brazil and the arms trade: https://www.terredeshommesschweiz.ch/waffen
Information
Andrea Zellhuber, Head of Violence Prevention
Franziska Lauper, Managing Director terre des hommes schweiz
Media contact: anna.wegelin@terredeshommes.ch
