Police inquiry into the 1999 bomb threats

Amnesty International has collaborated fully with the investigation from the beginning and has consistently urged the Brazilian authorities to conduct exhaustive investigations into the threats and for those responsible to be brought to justice. As recently as September 2000, Amnesty International publicly regretted the lack of information received by the police on its progress in the investigation to stop the threat or arrest those responsible for the threats.

In view of media reports which implicate one of Amnesty International Brazilian Section's staff, the organisation continues to call on the inquiry to conduct itself along international standards for fair trials, and would like to reiterate that every individual has a right to be considered innocent before proven guilty.

Amnesty International will continue to campaign for the full respect of human rights in Brazil, including the rights of gays, lesbians and other minority groups.