Getty Images / V. Moriyama

United Nations, May 30 (RHC)--The United Nations has called on Brazilian authorities to take measures to stop police violence after the death of an adult of African descent in the Sergipe region.

The request was made by the UN Human Rights representative in South America, Jan Jarab, who pointed out that disproportionate police violence is practiced.

The disproportionate severity "will not stop until the authorities take definitive measures to combat it, such as the effective prosecution and punishment of human rights violations committed by agents of the State, to avoid impunity."

The precedent of the statement was the murder of Genivaldo de Jesus dos Santos, a young black disabled man, 38 years old, who died after being attacked by the Federal Highway Police.

In this regard, the diplomat expressed that "police lethality against the black population in Brazil is extreme and so common that it seems naturalized", and described the event as shocking and disrespectful to human rights.

He also called for a "rapid and exhaustive investigation" into the case of this young man and for those responsible to be brought to justice.  It is urgent to promote structural political changes and police procedures in accordance with the precepts of human rights, to examine whether the detention processes are clear, said the UN representative.

Jan Jarab pointed out that Brazilian police officers need more training in human rights, including the dismantling of stereotypes against the Afro-descendant population and adequate attention to people with disabilities.

Last Tuesday, the Military Police killed around 25 people during a military operation carried out in the Carioca favela Vila Cruzeiro, in the Penha neighborhood, to arrest Red Command bosses who were sneaking into the territory.