Tortura e immigrazione in America Latina e in Brasile nel contesto della crisi e della crescita dei partiti di estrema destra

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the relations between torture and immigration in the current context of crisis and rise of far right-wing parties in Latin America, particularly in Brazil. It considers the changes arising from the global economic crisis – which has been deeply hitting the region since 2012 – and from the hegemony of conservative political forces through a renewed alliance with the military power. These changes have direct repercussions on the immigration policies and legislation, as well as on the treatment of immigrants. Cases of xenophobia, violence and torture against immigrants and refugees from poor countries – especially when they are not white – are constantly registered. Torture is a practice with a long historical tradition in Latin American and was reinforced in the 20th century, during the military dictatorships; now, in this region it finds again a fertile ground to grow. Besides the analysis of the political and ideological-cultural environment characterized by a vindication of torture in Brazil, this chapter shows that the mass imprisonment system is a key-space for this practice, being the State its main protagonist. Immigrants, particularly African black women accused of acting as mulas for international drug trafficking, are increasingly exposed to systematic violations of human rights, including torture.