Entre a proteção e a criminalização: desafios e impactos na defesa das pessoas defensoras de direitos humanos no Brasil

Abstract

Human rights defenders are vital to improving Brazilian democracy as they strive to achieve fundamental rights in their battles and demands. Despite their critical role, these individuals confront a reality marked by violence and obstacles that hinder their performance or, in some cases, make it impossible. This study, drawing inspiration from the contributions of Joaquín Herrera Flores and his critical and emancipatory perspective on human rights, investigates the process of criminalization of human rights defenders, examining its manifestations through the analysis of emblematic cases. It also investigates the smear campaigns against these defenders, examining the creation of stigmatizing narratives portraying them as societal threats. Additionally, the study briefly evaluates the establishment and challenges faced by the Program for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, Communicators and Environmentalists (PPDDH). Employing a qualitative approach, based on normative and social analysis, it primarily analyzes documents from organizations focused on human rights protection of human rights in Brazil. The findings reveal that both the criminalization and the delegitimization of defenders and their activities undermines the credibility and strips the political essence from their efforts, leaving them at great risk and vulnerability. Furthermore, the critical importance of the PPDDH and the need for its strengthening were highlighted, given the vital role of human rights defenders in upholding and advancing human rights.