Terrorism in Brazil
Terrorism in Brazil has occurred since at least the 1940s by Japanese terrorists. During the Brazilian military government, all opposition to the military regime was termed "terrorism". Islamic terror groups have also been active in Brazil.
Terror organizations
Shindo Renmei
The Shindo Renmei were a Japanese-Brazilian terror organization whose attacks were focused on resistance to the Japanese surrender at the end of World War Two; attacks were perpetrated against other Japanese-Brazilians.[1]
Islamic terror groups
According to the Brazilian Federal Police, at least seven Islamic terror groups operate in Brazil:
- Al Qaeda
- Jihad Media Battalion
- Hezbollah
- Hamas
- Islamic Jihad
- Al-Gama'a Al-Islamiyya
- Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group
These groups operate inside the national territory and most are also known to operate on the border of Paraguay and Argentina with Brazil.[2]
Under the Brazilian military government
During the Brazilian military government from 1964 to 1985, terrorism was a term frequently used by the state. All forms of opposition to the military regime was considered as forms of terrorism; opposition members were termed "terrorists."[2]
While an incident of right-wing terrorism occurred in 1981, known as the Riocentro 1981 May Day Attack.
Present
On 21 July 2016, two weeks before the scheduled start of the Olympic Games, Brazilian Federal Police busted an Islamic jihadist terrorist ring plotting to wreak havoc in a manner similar to the 1972 Munich massacre. 10 people allied with ISIS were arrested and two more are on the run. Additionally the terror group has been aggressively encouraging lone wolf attacks to target athletes from the UK, US, France and Israel, suggesting the use of poisons or explosives attached to drones.[3]
Responses and counterterrorism efforts
The Brazil government has four pieces of terrorism legislation pending in Congress:[4]
- Visa denials – in 2011, legislation was introduced to deny visas to persons and/or expel foreigners convicted or accused of a terrorist act in another country;
- Terrorism during the World Cup – in 2011, legislation was introduced that deals with specific crimes, including terrorism, during and preceding the World Cup;
- Penal code update – legislation in 2012 sought to update the Brazilian penal code to include sentencing guidelines for terrorism crimes;
- Terrorism definitions – legislation in 2013 sought to define terrorism under the Brazilian Constitution.
Criticism
There is a large concentration of Middle Eastern immigrants in the area near the Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil border. Some authorities monitoring the area have stated that Brazil should participate more in the international fight against terrorism.[2]
See also
References
- ↑ LESSER, Jeffrey. "Negotiating National Identity: Immigrants, Minorities and the Struggle for Ethnicity in Brazil". Durham: Duke University Press, 1999. Portuguese edition: Negociando a Identidade Nacional: Imigrantes, Minorias e a Luta pela Etnicidade no Brasil (São Paulo: Editora UNESP, 2001.
- 1 2 3 "Terrorism in Brazil." The Brazil Business. Accessed January 30, 2015.
- ↑ "Brazil police smash ISIS ring". Daily Mail. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
- ↑ "Chapter 2: Country Reports, Western Hemisphere Review." US State Department. Accessed January 30, 2015.