Jair Bolsonaro’s attacks on democracy were for the first time the target of a meeting between one of the main UN rapporteurs (the United Nations) and Brazilian institutions. This Thursday’s contact highlights international concern over the fate of democracy and fears that the election process will trigger a crisis in Latin America’s largest country.
At the meeting, the groups presented the United Nations Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Diego García-Sayán, with evidence and information on threats to the judiciary and the democratic rule of law.
The online meeting took place at the initiative of the ABI (Brazilian Press Association). In addition, AJD (Association of Judges of Democracy), Arns Commission, OAB-ES National Commission on International Law, OAB-RJ International Law Commission, Federal Council National Commission on Human Rights were also present. OAB, Conectas Human Rights, CNDH (National Human Rights Council), MNDH (National Human Rights Movement), Democracy Pact and SBPC (Brazilian Association for the Advancement of Science).
UN rapporteurs do not have the power to try or sue a country. But representatives can pressure and embarrass a government in front of the international community by demanding a response or making public condemnations.
The meeting takes place amid repeated attacks against democracy and the electoral system by the Brazilian president, who sent a representative from the same court to the Federal Supreme Court (STF) so that Minister Alexandre de Moraes can be investigated for alleged crimes. abuse of power. The parties understand that the complaint has been dismissed, and now Bolsonaro is using the Attorney General to try another way of escalating tensions between the forces.
During the interview, Diego García-Sayán admitted that he was unaware of the level of the attacks and argued that attention should be “highlighted” in the Brazilian political and democratic scenario regarding the independence of the judges, as well as the Electoral Justice. .
A new round of talks will be scheduled so that the UN representative can keep up to date with the events. There is also the possibility of visiting Brazil this year.
Otávio Costa, the new head of the ABI, attended the meeting and expressed to the United Nations representative his concern about the security and independence of the electoral system due to the attacks on the judiciary, and his fear that the president will not accept a possible defeat. polls..
“It was an important meeting and we are grateful to the rapporteur Diego García-Sayán for being willing to listen to us. He was very interested in the matter and will continue to receive our reports on the political situation in the country in this context.” Defending the ABI, lawyers Carlos Nicodemos from the Nicodemos & Nederstigt Advogados Associados office and Maria Fernanda Fernandes Cunha, secretary general of the OAB-RJ International Law Commission, evaluated. .
source: Noticias
