UCLG expresses its sadness and condemnation of the murder of Rio de Janeiro city councillor, Marielle Franco

Marielle Franco

Marielle Franco, a 38 years old city-councillor of Rio de Janeiro, was murder last Wednesday evening together with her driver, Anderson Pedro Gomes.

Elected in October 2016, Marielle Franco was born and raised in one of the favelas of the complex of Maré, northern areas of Rio de Janeiro, she was deeply committed with Human Rights, in particular for those of the youth, women, Black and LGBT communities. Marielle Franco defended a collective mandate that emerged from the favelas (the Brazilian slums).

UCLG joins all its Brazilian membership and the Women Municipalits Movement of Brazil in publicly expressing its sadness and condemnation of her murder last March 14, 2018. We deeply regret the loss of such an inspiring and empowered young woman committed to Human Rights.

Translation of the Note of regret of the Women Municipalists' Movement (in portuguese)

The Women Municipalists' Movement publicly expresses its sadness and condemnation of the murder of the city-councillor of Rio de Janeiro, Marielle Franco, on March 14, 2018. We deeply regret the loss of a black political representative, professor of sociology, activist for Human Rights, an energetic woman, who spoke up for minorities rights and represented the women’s voice with great spirit in Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil is experiencing, more than ever, an intense war on drugs and a very serious public security crisis that is spreading throughout several Federal States. In this war, human life has very little value, especially the lives of young and black women.

For us, who actively work for a greater participation of women in the spaces of power, this is a moment of great sorrow. Yet, it is also an opportunity for reflection and encouragement for women. We all can and must fight for a better world, taking those spaces of power as Marielle did.

We call upon the competent authorities to duly investigate with impartially this outrageous act, so that justice can be done, as well as taking measures to guarantee the rights of all women and minorities who are victims the crisis in public security that Brazil is currently facing.

We will continue to fight for a greater insertion of women in politics and we will voice and denounce all acts of violence against those who are active to truly change the current situation. We remain strong and believe that together we will be able to build a better future for all women and for the whole of the country.

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