Brazilian police go on trial for murder of street children

April 29, 1996
Web posted at: 4:50 p.m. EDT (2050 GMT)

From Correspondent Marina Mirabella

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (CNN) -- Four men, including three police officers, went on trial in Rio Monday for the 1993 slaying of eight street children. The murder, the worst massacre of children on record in Brazil, took place outside Candelaria Cathedral in the city center.

The trial follows three years of investigation, and two attempts on the life of a key witness, an adolescent who survived the attack after being shot and left for dead. Authorities sent him to Switzerland for his protection. Since his return to Rio Saturday, he has been under heavy police guard; reports say he is wearing a bulletproof vest.

Of all the dangers faced by Rio's homeless children, the one they fear the most is being murdered by death squads while they sleep. "When we can, we sleep during the day," said Ricardo, 13. "It's too risky at night."

The Candelaria massacre took place at night. While they were sleeping, eight children were executed with gunshots to the head.

Yvonne Bezerra de Mello has spent years helping Brazil's estimated 2,000 to 3,000 street children. Every day she tries to draw attention to the Candelaria case, protesting outside Rio's courthouse. "Until now, no policemen were ever convicted for killing street kids. This is a very good step for Brazilian justice," she said.

She and other human rights activists say the death squads that murder Brazil's homeless children are hired by shopkeepers and others to get rid of those suspected of stealing. Often, off-duty police officers are part of the squads.

While official police estimates say about 500 of Rio's homeless children are murdered each year, Ivanir dos Santos, who tries to document the murders, believes that the number is over 1,000.

"Nothing has changed," dos Santos said. "In fact, things are only getting worse. Since the massacre of '93, the number of children who are being exterminated is increasing."

Arrests and trials are rare in connection with the murder of Rio's street children. No one has ever been convicted. If those currently on trial are not punished, human rights groups say, others will continue the killing, having been given good reason to believe they can get away with it.

Related stories:

• In Brazil, police think fast and shoot faster - March 25, 1996
• Rio's street kids pose AIDS education problem - December 1, 1995
• Crime protest brings Rio to standstill - November 29, 1995

Related sites:

• "Street Children in Brazil," from the Ciba-Geigy Foundation
• Organizations that provide aid to street children worldwide

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