A UN meeting this Monday turned into an X-ray of Jair Bolsonaro’s government’s public policies, while dozens of governments blamed it for the worsening human rights situation, shrinking space for civil society and violence in Brazil. against minorities, women, indigenous peoples and journalists.
Under the UN hearing system, officially called the Universal Periodic Review, governments around the world are invited to ask questions and make recommendations to the country under review. In the case of Brazil, the meeting, attended by more than two dozen representatives from Brasília, demonstrated the dissatisfaction between the various foreign governments and the Bolsonaro administration.
In addition to requests from governments, activists and experts warned that the government is using the UN scene to misinform the situation in the country and government actions, as well as failing to extract data on environmental destruction, covid deaths, police killings. and liquidating institutions. There was such anger that the activists from the wing of NGOs in the United Nations chamber could not help themselves. A voice from the activist group warned “Lie”.
While presenting their reports, the executive representatives insisted that Bolsonaro’s government was fully committed to human rights in the country.
Another surprising statement from the Ministry of Health pointed out that Bolsonaro’s strategy made it possible to “control the pandemic” of Kovid-19. According to the government, “the largest vaccination campaign in our history” was carried out. But officials never mentioned the delay in purchasing vaccines, the 700,000 deaths, and the collapse of the healthcare system in various parts of the country.
In the education sector, many of the laws that the government mentioned were enacted during the PT administrations, and some of the projects mentioned were not even adequately funded.
Funai, on the other hand, stated that there was a decrease in deforestation in indigenous areas between 2019-2021, causing discomfort among local groups and environmentalists. Activists and organizations have denied the agency’s figures submitted to the UN.
Brazil will have until February 2023 to respond to suggestions and criticism. But the transition team of president-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is already talking to Brasília to prevent the current Bolsonarist administration from taking on any commitments as a new government will take over the country in less than 50 days.
“The international community is alert and knowledgeable about the major abuses that the Brazilian population has suffered over the past four years,” said Camila Asano, Conectas Director of Human Rights Programs.
“Activists’ attempts to criminalize deaths and civil society, persecution of journalists and institutional racism were an issue that worried several member states, and this pointed to recommendations for the country to ensure the safety and rights of these populations,” he said. “Constant attacks on Indigenous peoples’ rights are also on the radar of countries demanding Brazil to demarcate and deny the deadline. Countries such as Peru, Mozambique, England and Angola also celebrated the holding of democratic elections in Brazil,” he said.
It also highlights the shortcomings in Brazil’s rhetoric. “Contrary to what the Bolsonaro government has pointed out at the UN, Brazil is the country that has killed the most human rights defenders and activists for the land,” he said.
“According to data from Global Witness, 342 deaths of activists and environmental advocates have been recorded in the country in 10 years. In addition to the record number of deaths recorded, the federal government has actively worked over the past four years to decriminalize the work of civil society and dissidents, as well as delimitation of indigenous land. to fight, to increase the arms of the people and to provoke attacks on the press,” he added.
Indigenous Peoples and Environment
One of the most cited topics was the plight of the indigenous peoples of Brazil. Bolsonaro had warned that he would not draw any new boundaries during his tenure. But foreign governments openly state that the situation is critical and worries the international community.
For example, Luxembourg officials called for action against the invasion of indigenous lands, while Malaysia pointed to the plight of indigenous people affected by covid-19. Mozambique has also offered to strengthen institutions such as Malta Funai and organizations linked to the environment, while demanding that measures be strengthened to guarantee the rights of indigenous peoples.
The Norwegian government wanted the border restored and guaranteed the protection of indigenous people, a point still raised by governments such as the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Romania, South Korea, Peru and New Zealand. Even Poland, an ally of Bolsonarism, wanted stronger protection for the indigenous population.
The Mexican government also demanded a commitment to delineate land boundaries, while Slovenia asked traditional peoples to be consulted on projects that could affect their rights.
The South African government has called for more action against deforestation and the protection of indigenous groups. While Australia and Switzerland wanted Funai to be strengthened and the land border restored, the United Kingdom insisted on the need.
The Venezuelan government also took advantage of the meeting to celebrate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s victory in October’s election, noting that it was “concerned with the deteriorating situation left by the previous government (Bolsonaro) with regard to indigenous peoples”. people”..
The government never specified the total number of deforestation or the deaths of indigenous peoples or land invasions.
Sexual health and decriminalization of abortion
Another prominent issue was the situation of aid given to women and girls. The Australian and New Zealand governments have called for guaranteed access to sexual and reproductive health without legal barriers, as well as access to legal abortion.
The same theme has been brought up by the Mexican and Argentine government, while Norway has called for the decriminalization of abortion and access to safe abortion.
The Swiss government also showed its abortion status. However, in an intervention during the meeting, the Ministry of Health reaffirmed that the government “controls abortion” and assured that the protocol used to access such services is adequate. Civil society movements object to this version, pointing out that the new model makes it harder for women to have abortions legally provided by the Constitution.
For the Spanish government, although there are laws to combat violence against women, they are not properly enforced.
space for civil society
Violence against civil society and journalists was also highlighted by foreign officials. While the Dutch government has called for the rebuilding of the urban area, Malta pointed to the need to raise funds to ensure the protection of human rights defenders.
Australia, Montenegro, Latvia and Lithuania also called for more space for civil society and the fight against harassment of journalists and activists and to ensure possible criminal investigations.
Norway also called for measures to protect human rights defenders, environmentalists and journalists, while Spain insisted that more action should be taken to protect environmentalists.
As the Swedish government took the floor, it said it was “concerned” about the plight of human rights defenders. According to the Scandinavians, the country needs to “ensure that threats and attacks are investigated and those responsible held accountable”.
The Joe Biden government also insisted that environmentalists, trade unionists and other civil society actors should be protected from violence.
homophobia
Attacks against the LGBTQI+ movement were also mentioned. Governments such as Mexico, the United Kingdom and Malta have called for concrete measures to combat homophobia. Norway, for example, also asked for protocols for police action on the subject.
The Swedish government also said it was “concerned” about the plight of minorities, such as the LGBTQI+ movements. Venezuelan officials, on the other hand, said they were “concerned” about hate speech against this population.
Afro-Brazilians and police brutality
Bolsonaro’s government was still accused of police brutality and racism. While the issue was brought up by New Zealand and South Korean officials, Namibia demanded commitment to combating structural racism and violence against Afro-Brazilians. The Panamanian government has proposed more gun control, including police operations.
Uganda recommends that steps be taken to end racism, while the US government wants all actions of the police specifically directed at Afro-Brazilians to be investigated.
Answers
For more than three hours on the Sabbath, Bolsonaro’s government presented its public policy data. However, data and explanations were questioned by civil society representatives.
The Brazilian delegation was chaired by the Minister of Family, Women and Human Rights, Cristiane Britto, who assured the government of an “unwavering commitment to human rights”.
In a speech, a Funai representative assured that the agency is investing in and supporting indigenous peoples, including fighting covid-19 and reducing deforestation by 26%. Apib’s lawyer, Eloy Terena, insisted the numbers were inaccurate. According to WWF data, a 138% increase between the years 2019-2021 compared to the previous three years. In 2021 alone, 18 million trees were cut down on these lands, 155 indigenous lands.
The Ministry of Citizenship, on the other hand, emphasized that extreme poverty in the country has fallen and 7 million people have crossed the poverty line.
source: Noticias
