Assassination of Feminist Activist–Marielle Franco

Urgent Action Fund-Africa stands in solidarity with our Afro Brazilian and Latin American sisters, as well as all women’s human rights defenders (WHRDs) at this trying time of mourning the gruesome murder of Marielle Franco. A fierce feminist and women’s human rights defender, Marielle was shot dead alongside her driver on 14th March 2018 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil when she was returning from a rally she organised, urging for better treatment of black women in Brazil.

This targeted assassination of Marielle, a city councillor widely known for her fearless condemnation of police brutality and demand for better treatment of women in Brazil’s poor neighbourhoods is another needless death, pointing to the peculiar challenges women face for their activism. It is indeed a very sad loss!
We take a stand today with our sisters who have lost a fearless, heroic voice but who refuse to be left voiceless. We stand together with friends and family of Marielle, and with the feminist movement at this time of great loss.
We raise our voice in harmony with all women in favela residents calling for an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the tragic murder of Marielle and all attacks of women’s human rights defenders.
We demand that the government bring all culprits to justice and effectively protect women’s human rights defenders who are still at risk.
We salute the bravery of all the women who have lost their lives for defending women’s rights, and to all those courageous defenders who are still raising their voices regardless of the risks they face.
We say, Aluta Continua!!

Urgent Action Fund-Africa.