United Nations Commission on Human Rights 56th Session, March 2000

3 January 2000

Chair,

This year Brazil will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the arrival of the Portuguese in Brazil. On this occasion, Minority Rights Group International calls for the recognition and celebration of the peoples of African descent.

A new research Report by MRG highlights the history of disadvantage and marginalization suffered by people of African descent in Brazil. It shows that, for decades, ideas about Brazil as a ‘racial democracy’ have hidden the structural inequalities faced by Afro-Brazilians. A pervasive social hierarchy, based on skin pigmentation, remains predominant in Brazil today.

Some of the recently re-established democratic structures in Brazil, such as the Fundacao Cultural Palmares, have been pivotal in promoting Afro-Brazilian rights. Their work needs to be supported and encouraged, as Afro-Brazilians continue to be economically marginalized, often politically excluded, and rank at the bottom of social and economic indicators.

Discrimination against Afro-Brazilians is endemic and institutional racism is rife. Most social indicators show that Afro-Brazilians have lower incomes, live in poorer conditions and die earlier than white Brazilians. Their infant mortality rate has in recent years been up to 30 per cent higher than for the ‘white’ population. Their literacy levels remain low, and only a small percentage of Afro-Brazilians complete their studies in higher education.

Afro-Brazilians are disproportionately affected by unemployment and underemployment They make up a substantial percentage of landless peasants. They are seriously under-represented in public and private positions of responsibility.

Afro-Brazilian women face specific challenges. In addition to lower earning power, and fewer educational opportunities, Afro-Brazilian women are often faced with entrenched sexual stereotyping and relegated to subservient positions.

Chair, Afro-Brazilians are disproportionately the victims of police and other institutional violence and discrimination. They are more likely to receive prison sentences than ‘white’ Brazilians, and are found in disproportionate numbers in Brazil’s prisons. Afro-Brazilian street children have been the victims of violence, including killing and torture.

Although Afro-Brazilians have made significant inroads in the political arena since the 1980s, they continue to be under-represented in positions of power.

New strategies are urgently needed.

MRG urges the Brazilian government to :

Take urgent and specific measures to address widespread discrimination and marginalization of Afro-Brazilians in access to employment, land tenure and educational opportunities.

Enforce the provisions of the 1988 Constitution and the existing domestic legislation for the protection of civil and political rights, and to uphold all their international legal obligations - including those under ICERD.

Devise a detailed action plan - and set aside sufficient resources for its implementation - to combat discrimination and celebrate Brazil’s cultural diversity in preparation for the World Conference Against Racism to be held in 2001.