Rio de Janeiro court orders repossession of former Inmetro building

A Federal Court in Rio de Janeiro has ordered the repossession of the former Inmetro building in the Rio Comprido neighborhood. The property was occupied on the 7th by approximately 100 families belonging to the Movimento de Luta nos Bairros, Vilas e Favelas (MLB), who named the site ‘Ocupação Luíza Mahin’.

While the ruling recognizes the Union's rights to the property, it does not authorize the immediate removal of the occupants. Instead, the process must follow the National Council of Justice (CNJ) guidelines for collective conflicts. The Rio de Janeiro City Hall is tasked with registering the families and conducting technical visits to identify potential housing programs or relocation alternatives.

The building, managed by the Superintendência do Patrimônio da União (SPU), was recently intended for the National Archive. The Fire Department and Civil Defense have ten days to submit reports regarding the structural safety of the building.