Human Rights and the Militarization of Police: A Global Challenge to the International Legal Order
Los derechos humanos y la militarización de la policía: un desafío global al orden jurídico internacional
Keywords:
Police militarization, Human rights, Excessive force, Civil liberties, AuthoritarianismAbstract
This article explores the global trend of police militarization and its implications for human rights protections. By examining case studies from the United States, Brazil, South Africa, and the Philippines, the research uncovers how the increased use of military tactics, equipment, and personnel by civilian police forces exacerbates violence, suppresses dissent, and undermines community trust. Utilizing a human rights framework combined with political sociology and criminology, the study identifies systemic patterns linking militarization to abuses such as excessive force, arbitrary detention, and violations of civil liberties. The novelty of this work lies in its comprehensive comparative analysis that situates police militarization within broader geopolitical and social contexts, highlighting its role in reinforcing authoritarian governance and social control. This article contributes to policy debates on law enforcement reform and the protection of human rights amid growing global security challenges.
Este artículo explora la tendencia global de la militarización policial y sus implicaciones para la protección de los derechos humanos. Mediante el análisis de estudios de caso en Estados Unidos, Brasil, Sudáfrica y Filipinas, la investigación revela cómo el aumento del uso de tácticas, equipos y personal militar en fuerzas policiales civiles incrementa la violencia, suprime la disidencia y socava la confianza comunitaria. Utilizando un marco de derechos humanos combinado con sociología política y criminología, el estudio identifica patrones sistémicos que vinculan la militarización con abusos como uso excesivo de la fuerza, detenciones arbitrarias y violaciones de libertades civiles. La novedad de este trabajo radica en su análisis comparativo integral que sitúa la militarización policial en contextos geopolíticos y sociales más amplios, destacando su papel en reforzar el gobierno autoritario y el control social. Este artículo contribuye a los debates sobre reformas policiales y la protección de los derechos humanos ante los crecientes desafíos de seguridad global.
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