Brasilia, Brazil - A United Nations fact-finding mission has voiced concern over what it said are a rising number of arbitrary arrests in Brazil as the country prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic games.
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded a 10-day visit to Brazil on Thursday. It investigated allegations of “arbitrary deprivation of liberty” in five cities.
Mission member Roberto Garreton told a news conference the group is concerned that the government might “implement a kind of cleanup campaign that could increase the number detentions of people who may commit crimes.”
The government had no immediate comment. - Sapa-AP