Delegates Disagree Over Actions Towards Brazilian Police Brutality
The Special Political Committee met today to discuss Brazilian police brutality towards the impoverished lower class of the country. Roughly 35% of Brazil’s population is affected by poverty, and as a result, crime rates have risen considerably. This past summer, police brutality increased due to Brazil’s hosting of the World Cup. In fact, police have been reported to have killed an unknown number of homeless children to “clean the streets” in preparation for the tournament. Delegates disagreed over how to resolve these violations of human rights while recognizing Brazil’s status as a sovereign nation.
Throughout the session, delegates differed over the correct course of action for this issue. The Czech Republic proposed the boycotting of the 2016 Olympics that are to be held in Rio de Janeiro if police brutality continues to occur. The delegates from Argentina, Pakistan, and South Korea agreed. The delegation from South Korea, in extension, also proposed the “international community to threaten the Brazilian government to boycott initially, and if the Brazilian government does not respond by mid-2015, a boycott will occur”.
Delegates fromArgentina, Pakistan, South Korea, Iraq, Australia, Ukraine, and Lithuania proposed the decrease of the power of the police force and the implementation of public access to education. These delegates argued that the education of the impoverished is “crucial”, and would help to decrease the crime rate, therefore decreasing the rate of police brutality incidents.
However, the delegation of Canada disagreed with the above delegates, arguing for the addition of a UN delegate in the Brazilian Parliament. This idea was met with considerable opposition. In addition, delegation from South Africa, Sweden, and Luxembourg proposed a working paper to place cameras around Brazil to record incidents of police brutality.
There is hope that a resolution will be passed by this afternoon.
Throughout the session, delegates differed over the correct course of action for this issue. The Czech Republic proposed the boycotting of the 2016 Olympics that are to be held in Rio de Janeiro if police brutality continues to occur. The delegates from Argentina, Pakistan, and South Korea agreed. The delegation from South Korea, in extension, also proposed the “international community to threaten the Brazilian government to boycott initially, and if the Brazilian government does not respond by mid-2015, a boycott will occur”.
Delegates fromArgentina, Pakistan, South Korea, Iraq, Australia, Ukraine, and Lithuania proposed the decrease of the power of the police force and the implementation of public access to education. These delegates argued that the education of the impoverished is “crucial”, and would help to decrease the crime rate, therefore decreasing the rate of police brutality incidents.
However, the delegation of Canada disagreed with the above delegates, arguing for the addition of a UN delegate in the Brazilian Parliament. This idea was met with considerable opposition. In addition, delegation from South Africa, Sweden, and Luxembourg proposed a working paper to place cameras around Brazil to record incidents of police brutality.
There is hope that a resolution will be passed by this afternoon.