Experts say the action “may constitute illegal homicides” and demand urgent measures from Brazilian authorities
Specialists from the United Nations (UN) are concerned about the incident on Tuesday (Oct 28, 2025) in the Complexo do Alemão and Complexo da Penha complexes, in Rio de Janeiro, the deadliest in the country’s history, with 121 deaths according to official figures.
Experts stated that “These acts may constitute illegal homicides and must be investigated immediately, independently and thoroughly”.
They further pointed out that the “The scale of the violence, the nature of the reported killings, and the consequences for poor Afro-descendant communities living in peripheral urban areas expose a deeply entrenched pattern of racialized policing and impunity”.
Complaints received indicate that in some of the deaths the bodies were found with their hands tied or with gunshot wounds to the back of the head; Residents reported home invasions without warrants, arbitrary arrests, and the use of helicopters and drones to launch projectiles.
Furthermore, experts highlighted: “We are particularly concerned about reprisals against families and witnesses. Authorities must guarantee their life, safety and personal integrity, and prevent any form of intimidation, harassment or criminalization.”
They urged Brazilian authorities to adopt, without delay, the following measures:
- Suspend all ongoing operations that result in the excessive use of force and ensure that no further unnecessary loss of civilian life occurs;
- Protect witnesses, family members, community members and human rights defenders against reprisals or arbitrary legal proceedings;
- Preserve all evidence and safeguard the chain of custody in all cases of homicides or other possible violations, with a view to holding perpetrators accountable;
- Ensure independent forensic examinations and investigations in accordance with international human rights standards;
- Comply with international standards on the use of force and ensure accountability for all irregularities committed by the police.
The experts recalled that the UN’s universal and regional mechanisms had, on several occasions, expressed concern about the excessive use of force by police authorities in Brazil.
OPERATION AGAINST CV
Here is a summary of Operation Containment, according to data from the Civil Police Secretariat of Rio de Janeiro:
In relation to the 113 arrested during the operation, approximately 40% are not from Rio de Janeiro. The Civil Police Secretariat of Rio de Janeiro reported that there are suspects of 8 States outside of Rio, including Pará, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceará, Paraíba, Goiás, Mato Grosso and Espírito Santo.
The Secretary of Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro, Felipe Curi, detailed, this Friday (Oct 31), citing nicknames, that among those killed in the operation were drug bosses from different states:
Among the 117 who died, 39 are from other states:
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