Brazil is a constitutional federal republic composed of 26 states and the Federal District. The federal legislative branch exercises authority independent of the executive branch. The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary; however, it was inefficient and, particularly at the state level, subject to political and economic influences. The military is responsible for national defense and generally played little role in internal security.
The federal police force is very small and primarily investigative; most police forces fall under the control of the states. The "civil police" are plainclothes officers with an investigative role, and the "military police" are uniformed police responsible for maintaining public order, with a separate judicial system. While civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces, members of the security forces committed numerous serious human rights abuses, primarily at the state level.
The country has a diversified market-based economy and a population of approximately million. Industrial production including mining operations and the capital goods sector accounted for 39 percent of gross domestic product GDP. The agriculture sector contributed 10 percent and services the remainder. High government net debt approximately 55 percent of GDP complicated fiscal and monetary policymaking.
GDP grew approximately 5 percent during the year, and average wages kept pace with inflation after several years of sharp decline. Income distribution remained highly skewed. The Federal Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, there continued to be numerous, serious abuses, and the record of several state governments was poor. State police forces both civil and military committed many unlawful killings and killings due to excessive force.
Police also were implicated in killings for hire and death squad executions of suspected criminals, persons considered undesirable, indigenous people, and labor activists. Police tortured and beat suspects and arbitrarily arrested and detained persons.
