The first day of the Latin American Seminar on Forced Disappearances of Persons takes place this Monday at the Brazilian College of Higher Studies (Cbae) of the Feral University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). This unprecedented event will bring together families of victims, researchers, parliamentarians, activists and representatives of human rights organizations to discuss one of the main public security issues in Brazil and the region. The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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The event is promoted by the Associação Fórum Grita Baixada (AFGB), by the Institute of Human and Social Sciences of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), through the Fluminense Observatory, and by the Human Rights Center of Nova Iguaçu (Cdhni). These institutions have been producing research and analysis on the subject for five years, focusing on Baixada Fluminense.
— In Baixada Fluminense, enforced disappearances leave deep traces. We have identified the existence of clandestine cemeteries used to hide bodies, which further exacerbates the pain of families, who often cannot even grieve. It is urgent that the State assumes its responsibilities and implements effective policies for prevention, investigation and support for victims — says Adriano de Araujo, executive coordinator of the AFGB.
According to experts, in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro and in other Latin American spaces, disappearances are linked to power struggles between criminal factions, militias and criminal networks. The practices include kidnapping, torture, execution and hiding of corpses, acts which constitute serious human rights violations.
For sociologist Nalayne Pinto, researcher at UFRRJ, the phenomenon is part of a historical problem linked to violence and territorial control exercised by armed groups.
— Enforced disappearances are practiced both by militias, who use them to silence their enemies and competitors, and by trafficking organizations in factional conflicts. There are also cases involving state agents. There is an evil method: kidnapping, torture, murder and, finally, destruction or hiding of the corpse, the researcher explained.
During the seminar, demands such as the classification of forced disappearance as a heinous crime in Brazilian legislation and the creation of public policies for psychosocial and legal support for families will be discussed. The recognition of State responsibility in cases committed or concealed by public officials will also be addressed, in addition to the adoption of effective measures to prevent the repetition of these crimes.
The meeting will also address the Latin American historical context. Countries such as Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Brazil have experienced periods in which political opponents, students, activists and workers have been kidnapped by state agents and detained in clandestine centers, without any official information on their fate. This practice has left a legacy of pain, impunity and an ongoing struggle for memory and justice.
Day 1 – Monday December 8
- 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. | OPENING TABLE: Adriano Moreira Araújo – Grita Baixada Forum; Nalayne Mendonça Pinto – UFRRJ; José Cláudio Souza Alves – UFRRJ; Bernardo Suprani – UFRRJ; federal deputy Glauber Braga; Federal Deputy Pastor Henrique Vieira and State Deputy Dani Monteiro
- 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | PANEL 1: “Violence in the countryside and international responsibility in cases of enforced disappearances” | Speakers: Priscila Lini – UFMS; Simone Rodrigues – Observatory of Disappearances/UNB; Carlos Nicodemos – CIDH/Acari case; Representative of World Justice – CIDH/Almir Muniz Case. Mediation: Augusto Torres Perillo (UFSCAR/ UFRRJ)
- 2:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m. | PANEL 2: The Brazilian case – Forced disappearances under dictatorship and democracy | Speakers: Victoria Grabois – “Never again torture” group; Paulo Vannuchi – United Nations International Committee on Enforced Disappearances; Diego Portela – ICRC. Mediation: Nalayne Mendonça Pinto (UFRRJ)
- 3:00 p.m. – Coffee break
- 3:20 p.m. | Screening of the film Desova (2023) and debate | Mediation: Marcelo Princeswal/UFRRJ and Bernardo Suprani/UFRRJ
- 4:30 p.m. | PANEL 3: Dialogue table: exchange of experiences between countries; Network of mothers and family members victims of violence in the state of Baixada Fluminense; Care Network for People Affected by State Violence (Raave); Coletivo Filho in the arms of the Father; María Adela Antokoletz -Vice-President of Madres de Plaza de Mayo Línea Founder of the FEDEFAM Executive Secretariat; Fabiola Pensado Barrera – Seeking mother (Mexico); Ivanise Esperidião da Silva Santos – Mães da Sé Movement; Carlos De Laturi- HIJOS-Hijos por la Identidad y la Justicia contra el Olvido y el Silencio and other collectives present. Mediation: Amanda Gabrielle Covelo de Araújo (UFRRJ)
- 6:00 p.m. | BOOK LAUNCH: “Where the bodies disappear: a study of the clandestine graves of the Baixada Fluminense” – Augusto Torres Perillo
- 6:00 p.m. | EXPOSURE: Mexican embroidery – Artist: Edna Bravo
- 7:00 p.m. | Coffee/Cocktail Break
Day 2 – Tuesday December 9
- 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. | CONFERENCE: Enforced disappearances in Latin America – An overview | Speakers: Edna Bravo (Mexico); Ludmila Catela (Argentina); Adriana Arboleda (Colombia); Fabio Araujo (Brazil). Mediation: José Cláudio Souza Alves (UFRRJ)
- 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | PANEL 4: Challenges to investigation and accountability in cases of enforced disappearances | Speakers: Janaina de Assis Matos – Expert at the Baixada Homicide Police Station; Julio Araújo – Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office; Edson Teles – CAAF/UNIFESP. Mediation: Luciana Costa Fernandes – UFRRJ
- 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | PANEL 5: impacts of enforced disappearances on families and society | Speakers: Guilherme Pimentel – RAAVE; Renata Santos – Representative of relatives and victims of enforced disappearances; Marcelo Princeswal – UFRRJ; Jovita Belfort – State Committee for Missing Persons. Mediation: Bernardo Suprani – UFRRJ
- 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. – Coffee break
- 3:45 p.m.-5:30 p.m. | WORKING GROUPS | Recommendations: Build an action plan on 3 axes: Psychosocial care and collective articulation; Legislative and legal mobilizations; Investigation and expertise
- 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Closing table: Challenges and perspectives for the search for truth and justice; Adriano Moreira de Araújo – Associação Fórum Grita Baixada; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Human Rights; Department of Racial Equality; Federal Deputy Reimont – Human Rights Committee of the Chamber of Deputies
- 6:30 p.m. | Closing of the seminar
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