VP/HR — Situation of human rights defenders in Brazil

3.4.2018

Question for written answer E-001973-18
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Doru-Claudian Frunzulică (S&D)

Marielle Franco, a member of the Rio de Janeiro city council, an advocate for victims of police abuse and a defender of the rights of women and Afro-Brazilians, and her driver, Anderson Pedro Gomes, were killed on 14 March 2018. The assassination took place in a climate of almost total impunity in Rio de Janeiro, in a context where the security system has long failed to put an end to violence, or to guarantee justice for the victims. It represents another example of the dangers faced by human rights defenders in Brazil.

Does the VP/HR envisage holding talks with the Brazilian Government, in order to ensure that a prompt, thorough and independent investigation into the killing of the human rights defender and her driver will be conducted?