The right to mental health in the context of militarised policing in Brazil

Abstract

This paper argues that routine use of militarised policing in Brazil violates the right to mental health of residents of vulnerable and marginalised communities. The right to mental health is protected in international and regional human rights treaties as well as the Brazilian Constitution. Collectively these impose three levels of obligations on Brazil – to respect, protect, and fulfil. This paper argues that by ignoring the substantial evidence that its actions, policies and programs on militarised policing are compromising people’s mental health, Brazil is in violation of its treaty and constitutional obligations concerning the right to mental health.