The case in question was called ADPF of the Favelas. The term refers to a violation of a fundamental precept. It is used to question violations of fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution. The action was filed in 2019 by the Brazilian Socialist Party, human rights organizations and social movements.

The organizations and the party ask that the STF recognize the serious violations of rights committed by the police in Rio’s favelas. They also want it to determine measures to reduce this situation.

The Supreme Court decided in 2020 to restrict police operations in Rio’s poor neighborhoods during the Covid-19 pandemic. The court also ordered the submission of a plan with measures to reduce police lethality and control human rights violations by law enforcement.

The rapporteur of the case is Minister Edson Fachin, who in 2022 ordered the installation of body cameras in all of the state’s police officers. The official reiterated the decision in June last year and determined the establishment of a schedule for the effectiveness of order in all police units, with priority for those that carry out operations in favelas.

A report by the Brazilian Public Security Forum reveals that police lethality standards in Rio “remain very high and above the national average.” In 2023, the rate was 5.4 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants in clashes with the police. The national median is 1.8 deaths per group of 100,000 inhabitants.

According to the study, there has been a decrease in incidents such as homicides and police killings since the STF decision in the ADPF of the Favelas that restricted police operations in communities in the capital of Rio.

In 2019, 1,814 deaths were recorded due to police intervention in the state, while in 2023, 871 people died in police operations, a 52 percent drop compared to 2019.

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