Through the courts of life

Through the courts of life: reflections on the exercise of citizenship and access to justice in conflagrated areas, based on the project ‘Public Defense in action in the slums’

Abstract

The paper seeks to relate the limits imposed on the exercise of citizenship by residents of conflicted areas and the action of criminal groups, presenting an alternative created to offer a public service of legal guidance and access to justice, having as its object of study the embryonic initiative of the Public Defender's Office of the State of Rio de Janeiro called “Defensoria em Ação nas Favelas”. The aim is to demonstrate the need for public institutions to occupy their space and provide quality public service in areas under the control of armed gangs, disputing with militias and drug trafficking factions this hypervulnerable population, residing on the outskirts of cities, from of the experience in the territory of Rio de Janeiro. The hypothesis is that through active search it is possible to rescue a significant portion of the population of the State of Rio de Janeiro, constantly excluded from exercising their citizenship, guaranteeing their access to Justice. The problem is highlighted because it is estimated that one third of the residents of Rio de Janeiro live in risk areas controlled by the militias, while another 24% are exposed to the domain of drug trafficking factions. Aware of the various forms of vilification of the basic rights of this significant portion of the population, we seek to find out if, at least in relation to access to Justice, the action has been successful. To do so, a bibliographical review and case study presentation will be used.