2024 Retrospective: a year of resistance and stronger connections in the struggle for human rights

Conectas highlights the main events in the world of human rights throughout the year; see

In 2024, Conectas upheld its commitment to defending human rights, facing setbacks and suggesting solutions in areas such as institutional violence, defense of democracy and socio-environmental rights. 

“We stand in defense of fundamental rights, even in the face of a complex scenario, both domestically and globally,” says Camila Asano, executive director at Conectas. For her, one of the main challenges was the security crisis in São Paulo. “Security forces have always had structural problems, but in 2024 we saw state government authorities greatly encouraging violence perpetrated by public officials. This institutional attack on fundamental rights demanded a firm response from Conectas and other organizations in the judicial system, in Congress and in global forums, such as the UN.”

Given the core role of indigenous and traditional peoples in facing the emergency, Conectas supported indigenous peoples in the fight for their territorial rights, especially against the Marco Temporal (temporal framework) thesis, a topic currently discussed in Congress and the Federal Supreme Court (STF). 

Asano also highlights that 2024 was an election year with concerning instances of physical and digital political violence. “The need to make sure digital platforms respected human rights and fought the spread of misinformation was a topic of reflection at different times throughout the year. The lack of regulation also allowed some candidates to make abusive use of economic power, which led to new challenges in the defense of electoral integrity, given that social media platforms are already spaces in which electoral campaigns take place,” she says. 

November saw the 17th edition of the International Human Rights Colloquium, a landmark event in the organization’s history and a reference in the calendar of the international human rights movement. “Having over 40 activists from 18 countries come together was an opportunity to deepen collective analyses of the challenges posed by the advance of ultraconservatism and authoritarianism worldwide. This meeting was also an opportunity to reenergize partnerships and establish new connections between struggles that are fundamental to the global human rights agenda,” Asano highlighted.

Check out the highlights of 2024: 

 

Police lethality in São Paulo

The escalation of police violence in the Baixada Santista region, intensified by the Escudo and Verão police raids between 2023 and 2024, resulted in an alarming number of deaths and other human rights violations. Relatives of victims of state violence and civil society organizations worked hard to reduce the number of deaths during police raids, to establish practical parameters for police raids, such as the use of body cameras, and to ensure accountability for those responsible for crimes perpetrated. 

Conectas and the Arns Commission reported these practices to the UN and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in March, holding the state government responsible for the dozens of deaths reported. Despite international criticism, Governor Tarcísio de Freitas disregarded the allegations. The Verão raid ended in April 2024, with 56 people killed.

Also in March, the II Monitoring Report on Human Rights Violations in the Baixada Santista region during the Second Phase of the Escudo Raid exposed cases of summary executions, torture and obstruction of justice, highlighting the disproportionate impact on black and marginalized communities. In November and December, police violence led to new deaths, including that of a 4-year-old child and a 17-year-old teenager during a Military Police raid, in addition to other cases in the capital of São Paulo, such as that of a man who was thrown from a bridge by a military police officer.

Following these episodes, Conectas sent urgent appeals to the UN, requesting an international investigation into the increasing police lethality in the region. Reports were submitted to Special UN Rapporteurs highlighting the racial bias of operations and the need for concrete responses. The mobilization reinforced the importance of joint action by civil society to combat instances of abuse and call for structural changes in security forces.

Temporal framework

The Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (Apib) and the PSOL and Rede Sustentabilidade political parties requested that the STF declared Law No. 14,701/2023 unconstitutional, since the law restricts the demarcation of indigenous lands to territories occupied in 1988. The so-called “temporal timeframe” thesis, already rejected by the STF in 2023, is considered a serious setback in indigenous rights and environmental preservation efforts.  

During the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Apib and Conectas called for the definitive rejection of the temporal framework, highlighting the exclusion of indigenous peoples from the negotiations. UN rapporteur Mary Lawlor warned that the thesis intensifies attacks against human rights defenders and violates international conventions.

In her report on her visit to Brazil, Ashwini K.P., the United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, expressed serious concerns with the application of the thesis and that despite recent advances in land demarcation, the current pace is insufficient, leading to a scenario of continued violence against indigenous communities. 

Proposals such as Constitutional Amendment Draft Bill (PEC) 48, which attempts to insert the framework into the Constitution, pose risks to biodiversity and the fight against climate change, reinforcing the impacts of the so-called “Socioenvironmental Destruction Package” currently being processed in Congress.

Municipal elections and the fight against disinformation

Throughout the year, Conectas worked to ensure a democratic, transparent and secure electoral process. In February, the organization submitted suggestions to the Superior Electoral Court for improving electoral rules, with a focus on mitigating the spread of fake news and regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the elections.  

In June, the Global Coalition for Technological Justice, of which Conectas is a member, created within the scope of the mega electoral cycle of 2024, published a statement calling on advertisers to pressure major technology companies to fight disinformation and hate speech. The initiative was an attempt to create a safer and more reliable digital environment for democratic debate.  

A few weeks before the elections, Conectas launched a communication campaign against disinformation, providing tools and information for voters to identify false content and understand the role of city halls and city councils in promoting human rights. The entity also participated in an initiative that asked São Paulo’s mayoral candidates, in the second round, to prioritize human rights and democracy in their future administrations.  

Strong democracy  

One year after the acts against the headquarters of the Three Branches of Power in Brasília (DF), on January 8, 2023, the Pact for Democracy — a coalition that unites Conectas and 200 other civil society organizations — released a report with 12 suggestions for the final text of the Mixed Parliamentary Investigation Committee (CPMI) on Anti-Democratic Acts. The recommendations on media literacy and the promotion of democratic culture were accepted, and the Pact for Democracy was mentioned in the CPMI’s final report.  Read the full report. 

Rains in Rio Grande do Sul

At the beginning of the year, the intense rainfall in Rio Grande do Sul highlighted the bonds between crisis management, adaptation to environmental impacts, and human rights, especially for the most vulnerable populations. In an interview with Conectas, Patricia Grazziotin Noschang, professor at the University of Passo Fundo (RS) and specialist in International Law, discussed how climate change is forcing human displacement, directly affecting the living conditions of the most affected communities. She highlighted the legal and social implications of this phenomenon, emphasizing the urgent need for public policies that secure the protection of the rights of those who are forced to migrate in search of safety and dignity.

Criminalization of civil society

In January, councilors from the São Paulo City Council proposed a Parliamentary Investigation Committee (CPI) to look into alleged irregularities in civil society organizations that worked with people in vulnerable situations. The debate gained nation-wide repercussion when the committee suggested calling Father Júlio Lancellotti, a reference in the defense of human rights, to be investigated. The CPI also targeted harm reduction entities, expanding its focus to groups that supported the homeless population and people who use drugs, especially in the Cracolândia zones. According to Conectas, this was an attempt to criminalize organizations and social movements. The IDDD report pointed out that this criminalization included not only explicit threats, but also administrative proceedings and other legal means.  

Body cameras

In 2024, Conectas shed light on the fight for the implementation and maintenance of the requirement of body cameras used by police officials. In May, the organization expressed concern with the São Paulo Military Police’s notice, which altered the program and compromised its effectiveness in reducing police lethality. In June, an important victory was achieved: Supreme Court Justice Luís Roberto Barroso determined that the São Paulo government should observe federal guidelines on the mandatory use of cameras, reinforcing their relevance for transparency and accountability in police raids.

Also in June, in a partnership with the UOL portal, Conectas released the documentary Who’s Afraid of Body Cameras? The production brought reports on police raids in São Paulo, such as the Escudo raid, as well as cases in Ceará and the arrest of a false suspect, highlighting the potential of cameras in reducing violence, protecting officers and strengthening the justice system.

In December, the STF restated the mandatory use of cameras by the São Paulo Military Police, stating they are a crucial tool for preventing human rights violations and strengthening public security. The action was filed by Conectas, the Public Defender’s Office of São Paulo and the JUSTA platform.

Responsible banks

The tenth edition of the Responsible Banking Guide (GBR), coordinated by Idec with support from Conectas and other organizations, highlights the lack of commitment by Brazilian financial institutions when it comes to socio-environmental and climate issues. The study points out that none of the banks assessed require financed companies to observe the protocol of free, prior and informed consultation with traditional and indigenous communities, which is essential to ensure these peoples’ rights and self-determination. The guide reinforces the urgency of stricter guidelines to tackle the climate crisis and align banks with civil society expectations.

Building the future

In January, Conectas submitted a document with suggestions for the “Summit for the Future”, a global UN event that reviewed aspects of the international architecture and monitored commitments such as the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda. Conectas’ contributions addressed two core topics: international peace and security, as well as science, technology, innovation and digital cooperation. The event was held in September, in the United States. In addition to participating in the Summit, Conectas was present for the Action Days, which brought together civil society organizations from different regions to debate the documents to be voted on at the UN General Assembly.

Justice for Marielle and Anderson

The Marielle Franco case made progress in 2024. In March, brothers Domingos and Chiquinho Brazão, as well as police chief Rivaldo Barbosa, were arrested as the masterminds behind the attack, following the testimony of Ronnie Lessa, accused of carrying out the crime. In October, after a popular jury decision, Ronnie Lessa was sentenced to 78 years and 9 months in prison, while former military police officer Elcio Queiroz, the driver in the attack, was sentenced to jail for 59 years and 8 months. The case is a symbol not only of justice, but also of the memory of a leader and her legacy of democratic resistance.  More than just accountability, the case is about honoring the memory of a leader who became a symbol of democratic resistance and hope.  

Climate emergency 

In May, Manaus (AM) hosted public hearings of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR), debating democracy and climate emergencies. The event, part of the 167th Regular Session, brought together global civil society organizations to discuss states’ responsibilities in relation to climate change, as per the American Convention on Human Rights. During the discussions, the urgency of policies that mitigate environmental impacts and protect vulnerable populations was highlighted, with a focus on the rights of children and future generations. At the event, Conectas emphasized the right to a healthy environment as an obligation of states, highlighting the principles of equity and non-discrimination.

Fight against torture 

In April, the Federal Prosecution Office and the Public Defender’s Office of São Paulo took legal action against the state of São Paulo to implement the State System for the Prevention of Torture, in accordance with Federal Law 12,847/2013.  Conectas contributed to the case as an amicus curiae. On the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture (06/26), Conectas participated in a hearing at the São Paulo State Legislative Assembly (Alesp) to denounce torture and demand the creation of the State Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture in São Paulo. In October, the National Mechanism revealed systematic torture in prisons and institutions in São Paulo in a report released on the 32nd anniversary of the Carandiru Massacre, with the participation of Conectas.

Merlino case

The case of Luiz Eduardo Merlino, a journalist tortured and killed in 1971 on the premises of the DOI-CODI (the secret police HQ during the military dictatorship period in Brazil), continues to seek justice and the preservation of the victim’s memory. Merlino’s family sued Colonel Carlos Alberto Brilhante Ustra, responsible for the torture, and other agents of the regime, but in 2014 the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo declared that the statute of limitations for the lawsuit had elapsed. This decision was analyzed and confirmed by the Superior Court of Justice (STJ). Conectas and partner organizations acted as amici curiae, seeking to guarantee the right to the memory of the victim and to justice and reparation for the families. Unfortunately, the Superior Court did not accept the thesis of imprescriptibility, arguing that the action dealt with the individual liability of Ustra, who was already deceased, and that the sanctions should not be enforced against his heirs. The issue is yet to be appraised by the Supreme Court (STF).

Fair energy transition

In May, Conectas participated in the launch of the Community Energy Governance Handbook, developed by UFCG and the Serra dos Rafaeis (PI) Quilombo, which promotes fair energy transition and protects the rights of communities affected by wind farms, such as Simões (PI). The booklet instructs renewable energy companies to observe these rights. In the same month, the Serra dos Rafaeis Quilombo community participated in a cultural exchange in Paraíba, with visits to cooperatives and discussion groups on energy governance. The event was a partnership between Conectas, Instituto Maíra and SURA/CNPq/UFCG.

May Crimes

In 2024, the May Crimes turned 18 years old, marking Brazil’s largest recent massacre, with around 600 people killed in one week. Conectas, together with Movimento Independente Mães de Maio and CAAF-Unifesp, launched a project to strengthen the fight for justice and memory of state violence victims. In July, mothers’ movements and human rights organizations reported to the IACHR violations perpetrated in police raids in the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Bahia.

Drug policy

In the first quarter of 2024, Conectas and other civil society organizations submitted written contributions to the Mid-Term Review of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration on drug policy. During the 67th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), Conectas and partners organized a side event denouncing forced hospitalization, incarceration and death as a consequence of a hygienist drug policy. The event took place in person in Vienna and was broadcast on the official CND channel.

In June, Conectas took its criticism of the “Constitutional Amendment Draft Bill on Drugs” to the UN Human Rights Council; the draft bill attempted to criminalize the possession and carrying of drugs, regardless of the quantity, representing a serious step backwards for drug policy in Brazil. The organization highlighted that the proposal increases the problems of current legislation, marked by the absence of objective criteria to distinguish between drug use and drug trafficking. This ambiguity has disproportionately impacted black youth, as it perpetuates mass incarceration and is used as a justification for violent police raids against the country’s black and poor populations.

Support, don’t punish

Conectas took part in the global campaign “Support, Don’t Punish”, alongside organizations such as Fiocruz and PBPD, promoting debates on drug policies. In June 2024, the STF decriminalized the possession of marijuana for personal use, eliminating sentences and criminal records, a victory over the Drug Law, responsible for 30% of incarcerations and lethal raids in Brazilian city outskirts. With Conectas participating as amicus curiae, the decision reinforces the need for policies that prioritize human rights and fight against cycles of exclusion and violence.

Black people in city centers

At the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, held in April, Conectas participated in global discussions on fighting discrimination against black people. Among the main points of the debate were reparations for people of African descent. Measures to handle this historically complex issue became stronger with proposals such as the creation of a special international court to assess reparations for slavery and its consequences, defended by representatives of the Caribbean Community and South America.  One of the milestones resulting from the mobilizations at the Forum was the approval, by the UN General Assembly, of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, which represents the priority and continuity of international efforts on the racial equality agenda.

Lula at the UN

In September, during the UN General Assembly, President Lula highlighted the urgency of combating global inequalities, eradicating hunger and tackling the climate crisis, highlighting the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations. He also criticized the concentration of wealth and power, advocating reforms in multilateral institutions to make them more representative. On that same occasion, Conectas Human Rights participated in parallel events, such as the Global People’s Assembly and the SDG Action Weekend summit, reinforcing its international work in defense of social and environmental justice. 

G20 in Brazil

During 2024, Brazil presided over the G20, leading negotiations on three priority axes: Fight against Hunger, Poverty and Inequality; Energy Transition and Sustainable Development; and Reform of Global Governance Institutions. Conectas acted directly in events about Finance and in engagement groups, such as C20 (civil society) and T20 (think tanks), offering recommendations on the defense of democracy and fighting against disinformation and for climate justice, in addition to having contributed a technical document for J20, a group of the bloc’s High Courts. At G20 Social, we took part in two roundtable discussions with partner organizations and attended full panel sessions and events on governance and disinformation.

Slave labor in coffee 

In October, Conectas released the research report “Slave labor in coffee: from farms to multinationals”, the result of the Mind the Gap project, a global initiative led by the Dutch organization SOMO. The first part of the study demonstrated the positive progress and remaining gaps in Brazil’s regulatory framework in relation to modern slavery. The second exposed the strategies used by corporations to avoid accountability for human rights violations. A third part will be published in January 2025. 

Climate discussions

COP29, held in November in Baku, Azerbaijan, brought together 198 countries to discuss climate change and human rights. Conectas and other Brazilian organizations highlighted the urgency of concrete actions and fair climate financing, demanding historical accountability from developed countries. The event also addressed nature-based and policy-level solutions to address extreme weather events. Indigenous leaders, quilombolas and activists emphasized the need for more robust commitments for a fair response to the climate crisis.

Artificial intelligence 

Draft Bill No. 2338/23, which regulates artificial intelligence in Brazil, was approved by the Federal Senate in December. Despite including minimum elements that are important for this discussion, as pointed out by the Internet Rights Coalition, gaps in the legal text still compromise the protection of rights and the mitigation of risks. An example of the bill’s steps backwards is the exclusion of the clause that classified algorithmic models used by digital platforms as high-risk: this condition would have required companies to adopt transparent governance measures, as well as further rules for the use of Artificial Intelligence by public security forces.

Fight against slave labor

An ILO report released in March reported a 37% increase in illegal profits from forced labor in the private sector. In 2024, this scenario required actions to hold violators accountable and compensate victims.  

At the UN Human Rights Council, Conectas denounced the alarming increase in slave labor in Brazil, which reached a record of over 3,000 cases in 2023. In partnership with the Information Center on Business and Human Rights, Oxfam Brazil and ADERE/MG, Conectas reported to the international community that over 80% of rescued victims are black people, reflecting the persistent effects of social exclusion and the incomplete abolition of slavery in the country. 

Legal and safe abortion

Access to legal abortion in Brazil remains a distant premise for many women, girls and pregnant people, even with legal permissions. In 2020, only 3.6% of municipalities offered the service, leaving 37.5 million women without access. Cases such as that of a 13-year-old girl in Goiás, who was only able to undergo the procedure after authorization from the STJ, shed light on the structural barriers and social criminalization of abortion. In 2023, the Vila Nova Cachoeirinha Hospital in São Paulo suspended the service, while the state of Goiás passed an anti-abortion law, in violation of reproductive rights.

Conectas has reported these violations to the UN. In May, the organization participated in the review of Brazil by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), presenting reports of violations of sexual and reproductive rights. In March, at the UN Human Rights Council, the organization highlighted the barriers faced by women and pregnant people in accessing abortion, even in cases permitted by law. In partnership with CFSS, ITTC and Criola, Conectas submitted contributions to the UN Special Rapporteur on racism, Ashwini K.P., who, during a visit to Brazil, emphasized the urgency of fighting systemic racism, including the assurance of reproductive rights for black and marginalized women.

In June, 22 organizations, including Conectas, sent an appeal to the UN and the IACHR against attacks on legal abortion, such as Draft Bill (PL) 1904/2024, which equates abortions after 22 weeks to the crime of homicide, even in cases of rape.

As for actions in the Judiciary sphere, in 2024, Conectas, together with CFSS, Anis and Católicas pelo Direito de Decidir, asked to act as amicus curiae in the lawsuit that attempts to reinstate legal abortion service at Hospital Vila Nova Cachoeirinha. The organization also requested participation as amicus curiae in the STF under lawsuit ADI 7597, which calls for the unconstitutionality of Goiás State Law No. 22,537/2024, responsible for creating an anti-abortion campaign in the state.

Children are not mothers 

Conectas has become part of the “Children Are Not Mothers” campaign to fight early and forced pregnancies and defend access to legal abortion. In 2024, the campaign mobilized over 340,000 emails against draft bill PL 1904/2024 and opposed constitutional amendment proposal PEC 164/2012, which seeks to prohibit abortion even in cases permitted by law. The campaign also assisted a 13-year-old girl, a victim of rape, in accessing legal abortion and supported the approval of a Conanda resolution on assistance to victims of sexual violence.

Human rights and business policy

Conectas and other human rights organizations presented their recommendations for the National Policy on Human Rights and Business (PNDHE) in September, seeking to ensure that this policy becomes an effective regulatory framework for integrating human rights principles into business practices.

The report has four main areas: access to justice, full reparation, victim-centeredness and non-repetition of violations. The proposal includes expanding the protection ensured by the National Policy on the Rights of Populations Affected by Dams (PNAB) to all people affected by business activities, training justice institutions and ensuring the participation of victims in settlements. It also suggests that funds from Conduct Adjustment Agreements (TACs) be reinvested in communities and that companies convicted of human rights violations be prohibited from entering agreements with the public authorities. Furthermore, it proposes greater transparency and ombudsman mechanisms to ensure that victims are not re-victimized.

ADPF das Favelas

In November 2024, the STF resumed its analysis of ADPF 635, known as “ADPF das Favelas”, a milestone in the fight for a public security model that does not violate human rights. The action attempts to implement concrete measures to reduce police lethality in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas, pushing for structural reforms in public security policies. Conectas, together with social movements and civil society organizations, has defended the adoption of policies such as external control of police activity, the mandatory use of body cameras and the restriction of police operations in regions that contain schools and healthcare facilities, for instance.

Important decisions of the STF include the determination that police officers in Rio de Janeiro must use body cameras, geolocation equipment (GPS) and record audio and video in police vehicles. Furthermore, the use of helicopters in raids was restricted, with their use being allowed only in cases of extreme necessity, and stricter conditions were established for operations in areas near schools, daycare centers and healthcare facilities, which must be justified to the Public Prosecution Office. The decision seeks to ensure greater transparency in police raids and reduce harm to the most vulnerable communities.

Acknowledgments 

In October, Conectas received the Doar A+ Seal, the highest certification rating granted by Instituto Doar. The recognition attests to the excellence of the organization’s management practices, transparency and accountability, consolidating its position as a benchmark in the sector.

17th Human Rights Colloquium

Conectas promoted the 17th International Human Rights Colloquium between November 4th and 8th, 2024 in São Paulo. The meeting had 123 participants. Since its first edition in 2001, the event has brought together more than a thousand people from around 90 countries, consolidating itself as one of the main spaces for articulation and reflection on human rights on an international scale. The first edition was also the occasion in which Conectas was founded, highlighting the relevance of the event for the organization’s trajectory. The main topics in this edition consisted of the discussion on ways to confront the significant growth of authoritarian, populist, ultraconservative and anti-rights movements in different regions of the world. It was also an opportunity to reflect on resistance, solidarity and the re-enchantment of the world.

In the 17th edition, the meeting had 123 participants, including, in addition to Conectas members, 13 Brazilian guests and 26 international guests, 17 of whom were from the Global South.  The activities, carried out with translation into three languages (Portuguese, English and Spanish) fostered the inclusion of different world views. Watch the video about the event.