Name: Brazilian photojournalist murdered for controversial photos

Date: 1995 - present

Location: South America

SubjectPolitical/Economic/Social Opinion

MediumPrint Journalism ,Photography


Artist: Miguel Periera de Melo

Confronting Bodies: Brazilian law enforcement

Date of Action: November 1998

Specific Location: Para, Brazil

Description of Artwork: Photographs of bodies piled onto trucks after a police massacre in 1996.



Description of Incident: Melo was gunned down, and later died, in anticipation of his testimony at a trial involving 159 police officers accused in the massacre of landless farmworkers in Eldorado de Carajas in 1996. Melo's photographs attracted worldwide attention.



Results of Incident: Melo died in the hospital the day after he was attacked.



Source: Index on Censorship, 1/99

Submitted By: NCAC


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