MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Justice Minister admits a “culture of violence” and “impunity” in Brazil
The favelas in Rio do Janeiro are famous for crime and drugs “Economic interests” and a “culture of violence” are to blame for rate crimes in Brazil and conspire against government plans to disarm the population and improve security, claimed Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo.
“People believe they are protected when they have a gun at home and this shows a complete lack of understanding reality”, said Cardozo in an interview following the release of the UN Drugs and Crime report on homicides.
Brazil has the highest rate in South America (22.7 per 100.000 population) taking out Colombia (33.4) which is fighting a five decades insurgence turned into terrorism and Venezuela (49) that is in a chaotic situation.
Besides the “culture of violence” Cardozo said that government initiatives for the disarmament of the civilian population are aborted by “economic interests” linked to companies that “want to sell guns and therefore put up obstacles” to the promotion of a “culture of peace”.
Nevertheless a campaign launched last May has seen almost 25.000 undeclared weapons belonging to civilians turned in, in exchange for a reward.
“For the first time ever we had people hand in heavy calibre arms” revealed Cardozo in reference to 50 assault rifles that were voluntarily delivered to authorities.
In Brazil since 2004 disarmament campaigns are regularly organized and call on the people to hand in weapons for a small reward and anonymous guarantees.
Cardozo defended the effectiveness of the method but admitted it’s insufficient to end insecurity. The minister said that violence in Brazilian society respond to a multiplicity of factors among which the “feeling of impunity” given the slow, cumbersome and excessive bureaucracy of judicial actions, which many times ends in the prescription of crimes.
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Read all comments“Besides the “culture of violence” Cardozo said that government initiatives for the disarmament of the civilian population are aborted by “economic interests” linked to companies that “want to sell guns and therefore put up obstacles” to the promotion of a “culture of peace”.”
Oct 08th, 2011 - 02:26 pm 0So, it's the arms industry that makes people keep a handgun in the home to protect the family from violent killers.
Balls.
Killing people on the street because they fail to show 'respect' is one thing;
allowing yourself and your family to be murdered by individuals who poison your dog, scale your wall, break through the razor-wire, and smash your electronic safety systems is something entirely different.
No, the Gun Lobby and armaments industries are not the cause of held-weapons . . . . . as the Justice Minister well knows.
The inabilities of the police, the military police and the justice system to protect the citizen, in a society where corruption extends to all these forces of the law, has forced citizens to pay for private protection in the face of public inadequacy.
Typical reaction by politicians - blame legal gun owners whilst criminals will always have illegal (untraceable) guns to rob and murder with. So how do you then protect yourself and your family when Government cant fullfill their obligations and duties to society and is corrupt? You are expected to be a sitting duck whilst they live with armed guards and security of the highest order. Vote the arseholes out!
Oct 09th, 2011 - 08:55 am 0It's good that Brazilians voted not long time ago AGAINST banning to hold their gun(s). They have the right to protect themself.
Oct 11th, 2011 - 02:16 am 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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