The UN denounced the existence of "
structural racism
" in Brazil on Tuesday, November 24, and called for an independent investigation after the death of a black man beaten up Thursday by white guards from a Carrefour supermarket in Porto Alegre .
Read also: Brazil: indignation after the death of a black man beaten by white guards
This murder was "
an extreme case but which unfortunately reflects the recurrent violence against the black population in Brazil,
" said a spokeswoman for the United Nations Human Rights Office in Geneva, Ravina Shamdasani.
"
It is an illustration of the structural discrimination and racism that people of African origin have to face
" in this country, she added, during a virtual press briefing, recalling that these discriminations and these violence was "
supported by official data
".
"
The number of Afro-Brazilians victims of homicide is disproportionate when compared to any other group,
" said the spokesperson.
In addition, "
Afro-Brazilians are excluded and practically invisible in institutions and decision-making structures
”.
The investigation opened in Brazil into this murder must be "
swift, thorough, independent, impartial and transparent
", she said, adding that she must "
verify whether racial discrimination played a role
."
The Brazilian authorities must also investigate "
any allegation concerning the disproportionate use of force during the anti-racist demonstrations which took place after the death of (Joao Alberto) Silveira Freitas
", continued the spokesperson.
Several anti-racist demonstrations took place in Brazil in front of stores of the Carrefour group and the title of the Carrefour group in Brazil fell by more than 5% at midday Monday on the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange.
Joao Alberto Silveira Freitas, 40, was beaten to death Thursday evening by two white security agents working for a subcontractor of a Carrefour supermarket in Porto Alegre (south).
Footage from a video showing the victim punched by a security guard in the parking lot while the other held him shocked Brazil, which celebrated Black Consciousness Day on Friday.
On Saturday, far-right President Jair Bolsonaro criticized anti-racist movements, accusing them during a speech at the virtual G20 summit of trying to import into Brazil "
tensions that are not part of its history
".