AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IS calling for immediate, independent investigations into the many abuses committed by Brazilian police against protesters during the last weekend.

Around 20 protesters were arrested in Rio de Janeiro two days ago.

Director of Amnesty International Brazil, Atila Roque, said:

“The arrests on Saturday and the way the police behaved on Sunday, violently repressing a small protest near Maracana stadium, were a clear attempt to intimidate protesters.

The violence meted out by the security forces over the course of the World Cup was excessive, unnecessary and a direct threat to the right to peaceful protest.

“The heavy-handed crackdown included the use of non-lethal weapons, such as stun grenades, pepper spray and tear gas.

Journalists and protesters were injured. These abuses must be investigated immediately.

Amnesty International says it has been monitoring the protests which took place during the tournament and has collected evidence of the excessive use of force in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife and Fortaleza.

It added that acts of intimidation against protesters were also documented in Curitiba and Brasilia.

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