Landmark Trials Begin in Brazil for Marielle Franco and Mãe Bernadete Killings
Brazil is facing a critical moment in its pursuit of justice for human rights defenders as trials commence this week in the cases of Marielle Franco and Anderson Gomes and Maria Bernadete Pacífico Moreira, known as Mãe Bernadete. The trials, scheduled for February 24th and 25th, 2026, represent a significant test of the country’s commitment to ending impunity for violence against those who advocate for social and political change.
The Case of Marielle Franco and Anderson Gomes
On March 14, 2018, Rio de Janeiro City Councilor Marielle Franco, a Black and openly bisexual woman and human rights defender, and her driver, Anderson Gomes, were murdered. The Supreme Federal Court (STF) will begin judging the five individuals accused of ordering the assassination. The accused include Domingos Brazão, Chiquinho Brazão, Rivaldo Barbosa, Ronald Paulo de Alves Pereira, and Robson Calixto Fonseca. Domingos, Rivaldo, Ronald and Robson are currently in preventative detention, while Chiquinho Brazão is under house arrest due to health concerns. They face charges of aggravated homicide and attempted homicide.
The case gained jurisdiction in the STF in March 2024, following a confession from Ronie Lessa, who admitted to carrying out the shooting and implicated Chiquinho Brazão as a key figure in the plot.
The Case of Mãe Bernadete Pacífico Moreira
In Salvador, Bahia, the Court of Justice will hold a jury trial for the individuals accused in the August 17, 2023, murder of Maria Bernadete Pacífico Moreira, a leader of the Pitanga dos Palmares quilombo. Mãe Bernadete was killed in connection with her work defending the rights and territory of the quilombo community.
A Broader Pattern of Violence and Impunity
These trials are occurring amidst a broader context of violence against human rights defenders in Brazil, particularly those working on issues of land, territory, and racial justice. Brazil is considered one of the deadliest countries for these advocates. The delays in bringing the perpetrators of these crimes to justice highlight a systemic problem of impunity within the Brazilian justice system.
Government and Civil Society Response
The Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship (MDHC) is closely monitoring both trials, emphasizing the importance of a functioning justice system for protecting democracy and preventing future violations. Minister of Racial Equality, Anielle Franco, sister of Marielle Franco, stated, “We will never stop fighting,” expressing faith in the judiciary to act in favor of justice.
Amnesty International has called for fair, independent, and transparent trials, urging authorities to investigate and hold accountable not only those who directly committed the crimes but also those who ordered them and the networks that supported them.