Social movements in face of Covid-19: the inseparability between health practices and human rights in prisons

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the actions of social movements (MS) in front of Covid-19 in protecting the right to health of people deprived of liberty (PPL).

Method: Analysis of documents released from 3/2020 to 1/2021 by MS (Pastoral Carcerária, Justiça Global, Mechanism to Prevent and Combat Torture, ABRASCO); Justice bodies (National Council of Justice, Public Defender's Offices, Public Prosecutor's Office, National Penitentiary Department); scientific entities and international organizations (WHO, FIOCRUZ, UNIFESP, UnB, among others).

Results: 77 documents were identified relating to: 1) Extrication measures and inclusion of PPL as priorities for vaccination; 2) Rejection of the use of containers to house infected PPL or risk groups; 3) Suspension of visits, allowing the sending of supplements and postponed return of visits; 4) Revocation of the extinction of EAPs for PPL with mental disorders; 5) Reestablishment of the obligation to send PPL bodies to the Legal Medical Institute for identification, autopsy and issuance of Death Certificate.

Conclusions: The analysis shows strong network action by the MS to guarantee the right to health of PPL. These actuations achieved considerable impact in blocking some proposals to set back human rights.