UN urges Brazil to address institutional violence in Mariana Ferrer case

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights sent a letter to Brazil on May 4, 2026, requesting an explanation of how the state handled the Mariana Ferrer case. The UN expressed concern that the judicial proceedings showed "institutional violence" and secondary victimisation, citing gender‑based stereotypes, victim‑blaming, public exposure of intimate medical images and a lack of judicial intervention.

The letter asks Brazil to confirm whether Ferrer received effective remedies such as compensation, psychological support and other reparations, and to detail measures taken to prevent similar violations. It also requests the adoption of mandatory training for justice professionals, monitoring mechanisms for gender bias in courts, and a review of evidentiary standards on consent.

The case began in 2018 when influencer Mariana Ferrer accused businessman André Camargo of drugging and raping her at a Florianópolis nightclub. The trial drew national attention after videos showed the victim being humiliated by the defence lawyer while the judge did not intervene. Public outrage helped pass Law 14.245/2021, known as the Mariana Ferrer Law, which criminalises institutional violence against victims and witnesses in sexual‑violence cases.