Ahead of the World Cup next month, please join the global campaign to ensure hosts Brazil play by the rules when it comes to policing protest. The Premiership and FA cup trophies have been decided, and football fans are turning their thoughts to next month’s World Cup.  But in host country Brazil, tensions have been running high for months already. 

The police often responded with excessive force.

•A 51-year-old street cleaner died in Rio de Janeiro after police allegedly sprayed tear gas into the place she was sheltering.

•A photographer lost an eye after he was hit by a rubber bullet while covering protests in Sao Paulo.

Both tear gas and rubber bullets are classed as ‘less-lethal’ weapons but used incorrectly, without the right training – as we’ve seen in Brazil - their impact can be devastating.

Recently, police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro as people protested in cities across the country to voice their anger at the cost of the World Cup. We expect the size and frequency of protests to increase as the tournament gets closer.  Whatever happens, the police must focus on protecting lives, not silencing social discontent – and uphold human rights at all times. 

Please join tens of thousands of people around the world in giving Brazil the yellow card – so the authorities know that they’ve had their warning and we’ll be watching closely for any further foul play.  Sign the Amnesty International global petition now: Give Brazil the yellow card