Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, has said in a recent interview that he hopes criminals will “die in the streets like cockroaches” as a result of legislation he is pushing to shield security forces and citizens who shoot alleged offenders from prosecution.
President Bolsonaro argued Brazilian police were fighting an “unequal” battle against crime and should be decorated for using their guns, not taken to court.
In 2018, Brazilian police killed nearly 6,200 people compared to 5,225 the year before.
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Glossary
This glossary contains key terms of international law and the use of force by law enforcement agencies and officials.
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