Some of the major Western powers will make it clear that they reject Jair Bolsonaro’s policies, questioning issues such as the protection of the Amazon, the plight of indigenous peoples, violence against women, attacks on the LGBT+ movement, journalists, and even political violence during the presidential election.
This Monday, the government of Jair Bolsonaro will be questioned at the UN, and over three hours, governments, international and national organizations from around the world will examine what the country’s human rights policy is.
However, the documents submitted to the UN and the Brazilian government reveal that foreign authorities will not spare their criticism of Bolsonaro and point out that the defeated administration at the ballot box is not approved at the international level.
Through the sabbatine system, officially called the Universal Periodic Review, governments from all over the world are invited to ask questions and make recommendations to the country under review. But with the removal of the Brazilian government, the questions sent by countries to Brazil are seen as a way to criticize Bolsonaro – diplomatically – and to expose the fact that the international community is dissatisfied with what is being done at home.
For this reason, the choice of themes to be questioned is interpreted as Brazil’s revealing the credibility crisis in the world. Asking questions, what these capitals are still pointing to is the direction they expect the government of president-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to follow, at least in terms of human rights.
“The impeachment list is the death certificate of a government that systematically violates human rights,” admitted one of the diplomats who drafted the question.
Dom and Bruno
One of the strongest demands came from the UK government. London was careful to mention the deaths of Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira on Amazon in inquiries it sent to Itamaraty. British diplomacy is seeking a response from Bolsonaro on what measures he has taken “to address environmental crimes and strengthen his protection of environmental and human rights defenders in the Brazilian Amazon”.
In another passage, London also warns of political violence. “Considering the political violence in Brazil before the presidential election, how does the Brazilian Federal Government plan to strengthen the rights of its citizens to campaign freely and peacefully in the future?” she asked.
In another charge, London wants to learn “how the government plans to strengthen the provision of justice assistance to victims of police violence”, a way to rightly condemn operations in communities on the outskirts of the country’s major cities.
The Brits still warn that, given the situation facing the LGBT+ community in Brazil, they still want to know what the government’s plans are to “create mechanisms to integrate the pillars into the spectrum of national policies for the promotion of sexual diversity and human rights.”
The Swiss government demanded a response to “a significant increase in illegal deforestation, occupation of protected areas and degradation of the environment as a result of illegal activities”.
Berna still wants to know what mechanisms the government has put in place to “reduce violence by police forces, particularly against Afro-Brazilians.”
Biden administration seeks response on violence
In the case of the US government, what US authorities want to know is how mechanisms to protect human rights defenders in Brazil are implemented.
The White House also draws attention to the plight of the gay movement. “With local data showing that Brazil is the world’s deadliest country for LGBTQI+ people, what is the Brazilian Government doing to combat violence against members of this community?” she asked.
The environment is also on Biden’s collection list. “What measures is the government taking to adopt an effective action plan for the delimitation and protection of indigenous lands?” he added.
The issue was also part of the list of accusations sent by the Berlin government. “Germany would like to know what measures Brazil plans to take to effectively protect the lands of indigenous peoples against invasions, in particular with regard to the possible use of state and federal security forces,” he questioned.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, in its 2021 report on the state of human rights in Brazil, noted that “the situation of indigenous peoples and communities is serious and alarming” and that “their land is threatened by invasion”. “mostly, […] “They don’t have the state protection they need,” he said. That’s why Berlin wants to know what has been done to overcome such a situation.
The Canadian government also made an accusation in the same sense. “What measures is Brazil taking to advance the demarcation process of Indigenous lands and engage in meaningful consultations with Indigenous Peoples?” she asked.
Canadians also expressed concern about violence against the press, which has been a constant element of Bolsonaro’s four-year tenure. “What measures is Brazil taking to ensure the protection of journalists and media workers exposed to ongoing attacks and harassment?” she asked.
While in Spain the concern referred to the “alarming number of cases of violence against women”, other questions were raised by countries such as Panama, Portugal, Uruguay, Slovenia and others.
In questions sent by the Belgian government, the focus was on the LGBTQI+ community, the treatment of indigenous people, and criticism of police violence during operations in slums.
The Brazilian delegation will have to answer
The exercise is conducted with all UN members, and in the case of Brazil, it was scheduled for the end of 2022. Known as the Universal Periodic Review, the Sabbath will see countries continue to offer advice to the new Brazilian government on how to restore human rights.
During the review, the Brazilian delegation will be chaired by incumbent Human Rights Minister Cristiane Britto, who was next to the president when she made her first speech after the election defeat.
The Sabbath system exists so that the world can demand improvements in terms of human rights in a country. After four years, recommendations are made and states must respond.
In the case of Brazil’s scrutiny, the process acquires another component that offers some sort of opportunity for countries that have been humiliated or criticized by Bolsonaro to respond.
source: Noticias
