João Pereira de Oliveira

João Pereira de Oliveira, aka “João Bigode, a 56 year old rural worker and leader of the afro-descendant community of Santana, in Antônio Gonçalves County, State of Bahia, was killed right in front of his house in the evening of 15 April, 2016.

“João Bigode” was dinning with his family when a white car parked in front of his house, 2 armed men  exited the car and called for João, while others waited inside the vehicle. As soon as João came out of the house, he was shot 6 times. The attackers went back to the car and fled the scene immediately.

In life, João dreamt of building a community flour mill and his dream became true after his death. The “João Pereira de Oliveira” Flour Mill was inaugurated on 20 November, 2016, during the Black Awareness Day celebrations.


If you would like to provide a personal recollection, please email us at: HRDMemorial@frontlinedefenders.org

Region:Americas

Country:Brazil

Department/Province/State:Bahia

Nickname:João Bigode

Sex1:Male

Age:56

Date of Killing:15/05/2016

Previous Threats:No information

Type of Work:Farmer

Organisation:Quilombola (Afro-descendant) community leader

Sector or Type of Rights the HRD Worked On:ESC Rights

Sector Detail:Afro Descendant Rights, Land Rights

More information:Front Line Defenders

1This database records an individual's chosen gender identity. If they do not self-identify as male or female they can use the option of recording other/neither or use the term NBGI (non binary gender identity).