A/HRC/8/27
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non-edible agricultural products, in particular sugar cane mulch. Algeria recommended that Brazil
scale up this experience and preserve the right to food.
49. Noting the numerous reports of state police, military and civil, committing extrajudicial
killings, the United States of America enquired about the steps Brazil has taken to prosecute
individuals responsible for such crimes and prevent future occurrences of extrajudicial killings. It
also asked about measures Brazil has taken to address allegations of torture in the juvenile and adult
penal systems, and to improve prison conditions.
50. The Russian Federation welcomed Brazil’s reduction of poverty and income gap, as well as
the measures to prevent violations of human rights, such as in the field of public security.
According to the Russian Federation, prevention of racial discrimination, prohibition of torture,
public security and prevention of extrajudicial killings must continue to be priorities for the
Government. It asked for more details on the practical implementation of measures to reduce urban
violence and investigate cases of extrajudicial killings.
51. While acknowledging Brazil’s significant progress in the area of education, food, health and
combating extreme poverty, Senegal stressed the need for Brazil to continue to provide the same
opportunities to its citizens of African descent as those provided to its other citizens to fully
integrate them within Brazilian society. Senegal also requested detailed information about the
solutions envisaged to resolve problems stemming from the lack of updated statistics in certain
areas related to human rights violations.
52. Chile considered Brazil’s national report an excellent model giving substance for the review.
Regarding women’s rights and violence against women, Chile mentioned Brazil’s challenge of
promoting a cultural change of the professionals that apply the 2006 Maria da Penha Law and
asked Brazil to provide more information on this topic. Chile also noted the numerous measures
adopted to fight poverty and social inequality, and indicated it would learn a lot from the
implementation of the Bolsa Familia Programme. Chile agreed with Brazil that the right to
education is a fundamental element in combating poverty, noted Brazil’s high attendance rate for
children between 7 and 14 years old, and enquired about the measures taken to ensure that children
do not drop out of school.
53. Argentina raised questions about the implementation of Brazil’s Violence against Women
Plan, as well as its Family Allowance Plans, and requested further details on the legislation and the
right to memory and truth.
54. The United Kingdom welcomed, inter alia, Brazil’s open invitation to special procedures.
While noting that human rights legislation in Brazil is in general adequate, the United Kingdom
indicated that Brazil’s implementation of policy and legislation at the state and municipal level is
poor. It asked how Brazil evaluates the success of its policies in the absence of a systematic data
collection. The United Kingdom indicated that prisons are overcrowded and inadequately
maintained. It noted with concern human rights abuses associated with the criminal justice system,
particularly within the juvenile justice system, as well as reported violence and extrajudicial killings
committed by state military police. The United Kingdom enquired about the way Brazil proposes to
address human rights abuses in cases when there may be public support for the situations that lead
to abuses, such as invasions of the favelas by the police. It also indicated that there is evidence that
elements within the police and prison guards continue to torture people in their custody as a form of
punishment, intimidation, or to extract confessions, although few cases have been prosecuted.
Regarding this issue, the United Kingdom welcomed the establishment of the National Committee
for the Prevention and Control of Torture in June 2006, and was keen on discussing further the
monitoring mechanisms the Committee has proposed. The United Kingdom was particularly
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