Brazil has been hit by many political corruption allegations over the years, and many have gone on to become full-blown scandals.

Non-governmental organisation Rio de Paz (Rio of Peace) is on a mission to draw attention to the seriousness of the situation in Brazil. It held a protest yesterday, mounting and painting masks in front of the National Congress in Brasilia.

The NGO also stressed the need to combat violence. Its work began in 2007, shortly after a wave of attacks swept Rio de Janeiro in 2006. At that time, 19 people were killed, eight of them burned alive in an interstate bus.