BRAZIL | Leonardo Cardoso de Magalhães assumes command of the Federal Public Defenders' Office (DPU) in Brazil

Leonardo Cardoso de Magalhães has been inaugurated as the new Federal Public Defender-General of Brazil, following a democratic selection process involving the confidential votes by all DPU members and formal confirmation by the Parliament. His inauguration took place at the Palácio do Planalto, the official workplace of the President of Brazil, in Brasília. This rigorous procedure culminates in a shortlist, from which Magalhães emerged as the leader for a two-year term, extendable upon Senate re-approval. Notably, he is the first black ombudsperson to lead the DPU, marking a significant milestone in the institution's history.

At the outset of his mandate, Mr. Magalhães emphasized the DPU's autonomy and its commitment to fostering both national and international collaborations aimed at human rights protection and advocacy. He articulated a vision for the DPU to actively engage in reducing social inequalities and enhancing accountability, stressing the importance of grassroots-level impact. He also highlighted the significance of the DPU, as established by Brazil's 1988 Constitution, to independently uphold human rights. "The DPU’s mission is broad and requires monitoring and investigating the human rights situation on the ground, advising on the compliance of national laws and practices with all international human rights norms; and providing support for individuals to enforce their rights through complaints handling," he stated, advocating collaboration with civil society and international partners.

Mr. Magalhães has served as a federal public defender for 15 years, demonstrating remarkable efforts in human rights protection and advocacy. His experience includes significant roles such as serving with the Inter-American Commission and Court of Human Rights, handling high-profile cases like Cuya Lavy vs. Peru. Recently, he spearheaded a public hearing advocating for the rights of indigenous peoples, highlighting the critical need for land demarcation in Brazil—a testament to the DPU's commitment to human rights and social justice.

He served as Inter-American Public Defender from 2019 to 2022 and was a two-term member of the DPU’s High Council. He also led the National Working Group for the Assistance and Protection of Human Trafficking Victims within the DPU and was part of the National Council for Combating Human Trafficking. Holding a PhD and Master's in Human Rights from UPO, Spain, and a specialist in the investigation and legal process of human trafficking from the University of La Sabana, Colombia, he coordinated projects to assist Venezuelan migrants in Roraima, Amazonas, and Pará.

Mr. Magalhães actively represented the DPU at key international forums focused on human rights, more recently, at a UN convened meeting in New York to discuss strategies against human trafficking and at the OAS's 7th Meeting of Authorities on Trafficking in Persons. Upon initiating his term, he committed to prioritizing the defense of human rights and tackling social inequality. He stressed the importance of sharing best practices and forging robust international partnerships, highlighting the value of being part of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) to enhance these efforts.

Source: The Federal Public Defender's Office, Brazil