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[INTERNATIONAL] · Brazil · 3 sources

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Hospital Colônia: MPF seeks reparations for sale of patient bodies

The Brazilian Federal Public Ministry (MPF) has filed a civil public action seeking R$ 14.8 million in reparations for the historical commercialization of bodies from the former Hospital Colônia de Barbacena in Minas Gerais.

According to investigations, at least 105 bodies of patients who were forcibly interned at the asylum were sold to the Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais (FCMMG) between 1971 and 1975 for medical dissection and teaching purposes. Documents indicate each body was sold for 50 new cruzeiros to cover transport and preservation costs.

The lawsuit names the Fundação Educacional Lucas Machado (Feluma), the Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, the Fundação Hospitalar do Estado de Minas Gerais (Fhemig), the State of Minas Gerais, and the Union as defendants. Beyond financial compensation, the MPF is requesting measures for transitional justice, including the creation of a memorial in Belo Horizonte, the digitalization of historical documents, and official public apologies to recognize the human rights violations committed at the institution, which is often referred to as the ‘Brazilian Holocaust’ due to the estimated 60,000 deaths occurring there.

Entities

Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais · Fundação Educacional Lucas Machado · Hospital Colônia de Barbacena · Minas Gerais · Ministério Público Federal · União

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