Thousands of people have protested in the streets of Brazil in recent weeks, as the country prepares to host the 2014 football World Cup. Amnesty International is concerned that demonstrators have been met with police violence and abuse. Meanwhile, legislators have been calling for tougher laws to give police and prosecutorial authorities more power to quell such protests. Brazil should ensure that individuals and groups are able to participate freely in public protests, and that, if faced with violence, police and other security forces limit the use of force to the minimum necessary.
