Supreme Court minister Edson Fachin banned police raids in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas during the COVID-19 pandemic due to excessive use of force. The Court said “already precarious” use of force doctrines had become even riskier as the pandemic has led people to stay in their homes. They specifically cited the police killing of 14-year-old João Pedro Mattos Pinto, whose death sparked protests against police killings of black Brazilians inspired by the George Floyd protests unfolding in the United States.  

The decision limits police raids to “absolutely exceptional” circumstances and requires prior authorisation from the state prosecutor’s office until the country’s health emergency is over.  

See AFP’s report on the decision here and Reuter’s report on recent protests here.  

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