RIO DE JANEIRO: The controversial head of Brazil's Commission for Human Rights and Minorities in the lower house of the country's Congress has said he refuses to relinquish his position despite ongoing calls from activists in the country who say he is homophobic and racist. Marco Feliciano, an evangelical pastor, Tuesday told reporters: “I will remain. I was elected democratically. Let me do my job.” Even Marina Silva, the internationally recognized environmentalist, herself a follower of an evangelical church, complained in public about Feliciano's appointment. Silva published a critical note on her Facebook page on how the human rights commission, as well as other groups like the environmental leadership position that went to a soy baron, have become the stage of political bargaining between parties linked to government in order to broaden its support base. Other activists have not been as diplomatic as Silva, telling Bikyanews.com that “the very nature of human rights in Brazil is under attack and with this man in charge, we are facing the worst period in our recent history. Bad things will happen.” That was 29-year-old Salma Carlos, who said she was an ardent support of equality “wherever it may be.” She believes that “women, gay people and minorities deserve better than someone who would prefer them dead.” Feliciano reversed his decision made last week banning the presence of outsiders from the commission's sessions to keep out protesters demanding his resignation. However, he warned he would order closed door sessions should protesters appear. On his personal Twitter page, Feliciano recently said that AIDS was a “gay cancer” and that Africa has been “cursed since the times of Noah,” which explains the “poverty, violence and disease afflicting that continent.” According to a recent statistic, 338 LGBT people were murdered in Brazil in 2012, an average of one death for every 26 hours. The Gay Group of Bahia (GGB), an LGBT Rights advocacy organization, has been compiling data for the last 30 years on LGBT deaths in Brazil. Last year's report was broken down to reveal that of the murders reported, 188 were gay men, 128 transsexuals, 19 lesbians and two bisexuals. Of these cases, only 89 out of the 338 deaths resulted in the conviction of an individual responsible for the homicide. The rest, 73 percent of the cases, resulted in acquittals or no arrest. The statistic is up 21% since 2011 when 266 deaths were reported. Homophobia remains an issue, and the vast majority of hate crimes go unreported. The GBB reports that even their statistics are likely underrepresented because of closeted gay individuals or a lack of transparency in murder cases. Feliciano is unlikely to help ease the violence towards the LGBT community. BN
