Associação dos Remanescentes do Quilombo de Rio dos Macacos
The Associação dos Remanescentes do Quilombo de Rio dos Macacos (Association of Remnants of the Quilombo Rio dos Macacos) represents and promotes the development of residents of the Quilombo de Rio dos Macacos, formed over 200 years ago by African men and women who managed to escape captivity after being trafficked to Brazil. Since the 1970s, quilombola families have been gradually expelled from their land by the Navy, who began to settle in the region. They seek to denounce human rights violations resulting from the occupation and demand access to basic rights such as water, sanitation, electric lights and freedom of movement. At the same time, the Association works to empower quilombola women human rights defenders.
The challenges and threats faced by human rights defenders in Brazil remain very high, particularly for those working on issues of land, environment, indigenous peoples, LGBTi rights, corruption and impunity. Many HRDs have experienced death threats, physical attacks, arbitrary arrests and lawsuits. The high number of killings is of particular concern and takes place against a background of widespread impunity.
