The students developed research on police operations in the Complexo da Maré, addressing the social impacts caused by these actions. The work discusses how the constant presence of State violence affects the daily lives of residents and analyzes the consequences of these operations for mobility, access to basic rights, and the local population's sense of security.
The communities of Maré, a complex of favelas located in the Zona Norte of Rio de Janeiro, are frequently the site of police operations. These actions are part of strategies to combat drug trafficking and organized crime in the region, but they also generate intense debates about public safety, human rights, and the impact on residents' lives. Maré is made up of 16 communities and is home to more than 140 thousand people. It is one of the largest favelas in Rio and, for this reason, concentrates different armed groups competing for territory. The State's response has been marked by large-scale police operations, involving special battalions, armored vehicles, and even the use of helicopters.
However, these operations have generated countless criticisms from civil society organizations, residents, and human rights advocates. One of the main problems pointed out is the way these actions are carried out, often with excessive use of force, without clear search warrants, and with reports of abuses and deaths of innocent civilians. In addition, schools and health facilities frequently have to suspend their services during the incursions, further affecting the daily routine of the local population. Despite the constant police presence, violence rates do not always decrease, which raises questions about the effectiveness of these operations and the absence of long-term public policies aimed at education, health, culture, and job creation in the communities. Residents of Maré demand security that respects their rights, with actions that prioritize dialogue, violence prevention, and the valuing of life. Many also demand greater oversight of police conduct and justice in cases of abuses committed.
News sites and portals used for research in this work: G1, CNN Brasil, gov.br
