Movimenta Caxias Collective
Movimenta Caxias Collective is a collective founded in 2017 by human rights defenders from Baixada Fluminense, in the lowland region of Rio de Janeiro state. The collective is divided into different areas of activity, such as education, culture, communication, solidarity actions and the fight against racism. It also carries out its work in several neighbourhoods and favelas, particularly in the region of Baixada Fluminense. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the collective has been carrying out solidarity actions, such as distributing food baskets and hygiene products, and hosting people at its premises during cold nights. Through its work in defence of human rights, the collective has already provided support to more than 45,000 families facing social risk and in vulnerable conditions.
The challenges and threats faced by human rights defenders in Brazil remain very high, particularly for those working on issues of land, environment, indigenous peoples, LGBTi rights, corruption and impunity. Many HRDs have experienced death threats, physical attacks, arbitrary arrests and lawsuits. The high number of killings is of particular concern and takes place against a background of widespread impunity.
