Brazil

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office in January 2023 after a campaign marred with political violence. Shortly after, a crowd of supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro stormed Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Presidential Palace, calling for a coup. Rapid deforestation and fires are pushing the Amazon rainforest to a tipping point from which it may not recover. Forest defenders face threats and violence. Police killings continue at very high levels, disproportionately impacting Black Brazilians. Many prisons are severely overcrowded, leaving detainees vulnerable to violence and recruitment by gangs. Gender-based violence remains a chronic problem.

Climate Change

April 23, 2025
Dispatches
COP30 Should Deliver Bold Action on Climate and Rights

Maria Laura Canineu

Deputy Director, Environment and Human Rights

Myrto Tilianaki

Senior Advocate, Environment and Human Rights
Disability Rights

Leonardo Barcellos, a 32-year-old disability rights advocate, died of asphyxiation on February 26 after a power outage at his home in Rio de Janeiro prevented the machine he used to breathe, from working, his mother told me. He had progressive muscular dystrophy, a condition that weakens muscles.

April 15, 2025
Commentary
A Life Cut Short by Systemic Failure in Brazil

Carlos Ríos Espinosa

Associate Director, Disability Rights Division

Published in: UOL
LGBT Rights

March 12, 2025
Commentary
Human Rights and Sexuality Education Protects Schools

Cristian González Cabrera

Senior Researcher, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights Program

Denise Carreira

External Contributor

Published in: NEXO

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November 18, 2024 Report

Brazil: Pesticide Bill Threatens Health, Livelihoods

Smaller Buffer Zones Would Further Reduce Protection from Exposure
November 7, 2023 Report

“They Promised to Kill 30”

Police Killings in Baixada Santista, São Paulo state, Brazil
April 3, 2023 Report

Brazil: Online Learning Tools Harvest Children’s Data

One State Government Removes Ad Tracking, But Others Continue
January 13, 2023 Feature

Rainforest Ashes