By Sara Costantini and Isabella H. de Carvalho
According to the latest figures, at least 130 people have died in the large-scale police operation in the northern favelas of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that took place on Tuesday, Oct 28. The operation, called “Containment,” is being described as the bloodiest raid in the city’s history.
It involved 2500 special forces officers and targeted alleged members of the Red Command gang (Comando Vermelho), the main criminal organization in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Over 100 people were arrested. The aim was to stop the territorial expansion of the group, which is involved in drug and arms trafficking.
Cardinal Tempesta’s appeal
As grief grows and tension remains high in the city, the Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, Cardinal Orani João Tempesta, expressed his “sorrow for so much suffering,” in a statement released on Tuesday. He emphasized that “violence and fear have wounded the heart of our city and taken peace from many homes.”
He wrote that in the face of such a tragedy “we cannot feed hatred, nor respond with indifference,” and called for collective soul-searching. “Life and human dignity are absolute values,” he said. “Human life is a sacred gift from God and must always be defended and preserved.”
Cardinal Tempesta also offered words of hope to the people of Rio de Janeiro: “As disciples of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers, to overcome hatred, revenge, and indifference that corrode the social fabric.”
“It is urgent that we join forces for reconciliation, mutual respect, and above all, for the protection of life, the promotion of justice, and the building of a peaceful society that promotes the dignity of every person, especially the poorest and most vulnerable,” he continued. “Even in the face of chaos, I firmly believe that love and goodness are stronger than any violence.”
“May the Lord of life convert our hearts, heal the wounds of violence, and make us instruments of His peace,” he concluded.
The UN calls for truth and reform
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has urged Brazil to implement “comprehensive and effective reform of policing methods in Brazil.”
While acknowledging the challenges of confronting “violent and well-organized criminal groups such as Comando Vermelho”, he said, the “the long list of operations resulting in many deaths” raise questions about how they are conducted.
Türk called for Brazil to “break the cycle of extreme brutality and ensure that law enforcement operations comply with international standards regarding the use of force.” He called for “independent, and effective investigations” in to the raids and the creation of mechanisms to allow affected families and communities to “access justice and reparation.”
“It is time to end a system that perpetuates racism, discrimination, and injustice,” he said.
The Supreme Court intervenes
The Brazilian Supreme Court has also asked Governor Cláudio Castro for clarification, requesting a detailed account of the operation, the use of force, and assistance to the victims’ families.
Meanwhile, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he would not “accept that organized crime continues to destroy families, oppress residents, and spread drugs and violence throughout cities.” He also called for “coordinated efforts” with security forces in order to “strike at the heart of drug trafficking without putting police officers, children, and innocent families at risk.” – Vatican News
