Case History: André Santos
On 9 June 2014, a death threat against LGBT human rights defenders was received on the mobile phone of Mr André Santos.
André Santos is President of Conselho Municipal LGBT de Teresina (LGBT Municipal Council of Teresina), which was founded in 2010 to lobby for the rights of the LGBT community politically.
On 9 June 2014, a death threat against LGBT human rights defenders was received on the mobile phone of Mr André Santos, President of Conselho Municipal LGBT de Teresina (LGBT Municipal Council of Teresina).
The text message is the latest in a series of death threats issued against LGBT rights organisations in Piauí State, including Grupo Matizes (Shades of Colour Group) and its employee Ms Marinalva Santana.
On the morning of 9 June 2014, a text message was sent to the mobile phone of André Santos from a group calling itself Irmandade Homofobica (Homophobic Brotherhood). It stated: “Us from the cult do not want this council working. We are 18 members and if you don't stop we will eliminate you all. We know you and the president. We know where you live and much more. Until tomorrow.”
Irmandade Homofobica has been threatening members of the LGBT community since February 2014 and has issued the majority of its threats on social media. Although the threats are being investigated by local authorities and have been highlighted by the local media, Irmandade Homofobica has continued in its intimidation. An investigation at the State level and another at the Federal level are ongoing regarding the threats, although there have been criticisms that they are moving too slowly as they have not yet yielded results. The Federal Programme for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders is also following the case.
