BRAZIL

1. BRAZIL

2. Background Information and Facts. Three centuries of rule under rule of Portugal Finally became an independent nation in 1822, a republic in 1889. Largest and most populous country in South America. Overcame more than half a century of military intervention. South America’s leading economic power and regional leader. Highly unequal income and crime are the most pressing problems.

3. CIA World Factbook Geography • Eastern South America, borders Atlantic • Total area: 8,511,965 sq km • Climate: Mostly tropical, temperate in south • Natural resources: bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, platinum Economy • Agricultural Products: coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus, beef. • Industries: textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, steel, tin, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment. People • Population: 196,342,592 • Age Structure: • 0-14 years: 27% • 16-64 years: 66.8% • 65+ years: 6.3% • Birth rate: 18.72 births/1,000 population • Infant Mortality Rate: 23.33 deaths/1,000 live births • Religions : Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4% • Language: Portuguese official language • Literacy • Definition: Age 15+ can read and write • Total Population; 88.6%

4. Transnational Issues International Disputes Illicit Drugs Second-largest consumer of cocaine in the world Illicit producer of cannabis Upsurge in drug-related violence and weapons smuggling Illicit narcotics proceeds earned often laundered through financial system Significant illicit financial activity in Tri-Border Area • Region convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is a locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking and fundraising for extremist organizations • Uncontested boundary dispute with Uruguay over Isla Brasilera

5. Indigenous Brazilians still suffering inequalities – UN rights expert25 August 2008UN NEWS • People struggling to exercise real control over their own lives and land, despite some advances in condition and government’s commitment to improve the situation • These indigenous people are likely to be poor, to endure low health and education standards, and face discrimination that sometimes results in violence • Government has promised to advance rights, but significant part of Brazilian society opposes government policies that try to respond to the aspirations of indigenous people. • S. James Anaya, Special Rapporteur on human rights, visited and found that “while indigenous communities have some input into the delivery of services to them by government agencies, they do not have adequate control and sometimes suffer from paternalistic attitudes from government agencies and non-governmental organizations.” • Health and education standards remain poor, especially for indigenous women and children. • Too many Brazilians are unaware of the rights of indigenous people, even when they have been enshrined in the national constitution.

6. Brazilian police commit murders on behalf of drug gangs, says UN expert15 September 2008UN NEWS • Brazil’s police responsible for significant proportion of 48,000 murders committed every year. • On-duty police routinely resort to deadly violence and a large number of off-duty police take part in death squads and other organized crimes. • In Rio de Janeiro, police kill three people every day. • Responsible for one out of every five killings • “Local officials claim that these impressive sounding mega-operations are protecting residents from drug gangs, but the operations have hurt ordinary people far more than they have hurt the drug gangs” - Philip Alston, UN Special Rapprteur. • Little public outcry because of widespread skepticism over normal law enforcement measures used to combat drug gangs. • 70% of homicides in north-east Pernambuco are committed by death squads, many of which are comprised of current or former police officers.