Brazil: Andre Fernandes targeted with death and forced into exile
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Dr. Lula da Silva,
Presidente da República
Praça dos Três Poderes,
Palácio do Planalto,
3. Andar, 70.150-900
Brasília - DF.
Brasil
Dear President Lula
I wish to express my concern at the case of Andre Fernandes a social activist in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. His goal is to show that the shantytowns are not just lairs of criminals. He is one of the founders of Movimento Favelania, which works to empower communities in the favelas to speak out about the violence against them and provide them with legal support.
Andre Fernandes is also the founder of ANF- Agência de Notícias das Favelas (Favela News Agency). Because of his work he has been targeted with death threats, which forced him into “exile” in southern Brazil. He came back to Rio de Janeiro at the end of 2006 to re-launch the agency web site. Since his return he has again received death threats and has had to leave Rio de Janeiro for his own safety.
I urge you to take immediate steps to ensure the protection of Andre Fernandes and to ensure that all human rights defenders in Brazil are able to pursue their legitimate human rights work without fear of arrest or intimidation.
Yours sincerely
