Protecting black children must be a priority for Brazilian lawmakers

Potentially the most negative stereotype about Brazil is its image of being a violent country, underpinned by its shocking homicide rate. In fact, the appalling total of 41,600-plus murders recorded in 2019 was almost celebrated in Brazil, being the lowest level in more than a decade. As recently as 2017, figures peaked at almost 60,000 homicides in a single year — a rate of 31.6 murders per 100,000 people, over six times higher than that of the U.S.

But violence does not affect all Brazilians equally, and children are disproportionately victimized. 

According to the Brazilian Forum of Public Security, 10,067 children aged 0-19 years old were killed in 2018. Since 1991, nearly 232,000 children have been murdered, 70 percent of which were victims of gun violence. The organization estimates that 2,215 children died at the hands of the police between 2017 and 2019. 

Furthermore, data from the Brazilian Public...