Civil Society Organizations Condemn the Killing of Afro-Brazilian musician Evaldo Rosa do Santos

[Judi Lynn]

Letter sent to Ambassador Silva do Amaral

Dear Ambassador Silva do Amaral,

We, the undersigned members of U.S. civil society, who follow issues of human rights in the Americas write to express our shock and outrage concerning the April 7 murder of Afro descendant singer Evaldo Rosa dos Santos. According to the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), the musician was traveling by car to a baby shower when the military of the Brazil army shot his vehicle 80 times killing him. Mr. Rosa dos Santos’ wife, father in law, 7 year-oldson, and 13 year-old goddaughter (13 years old) were accompanying him in the car. The incident took place in Guadalupe neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro.

We strongly urge your government to carry out an independent investigation under ordinary jurisdiction that determines the motive and circumstances that led to this military action and deaths. We also expect your government to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice. Further, we echo CEJIL’s insistence that in this investigation there be analysis done as to whether or not “this occurred because of the practices of institutional racism and selectivity that permeate police repression and public safety by state agents.”

We plan to continue to monitor this case until justice takes place for the Rosa dos Santos family.

Sincerely,

More:
https://www.wola.org/2019/04/civil-society-organizations-condemn-killing-of-afro-brazil