Itamaraty announced at the UN on Tuesday that the government is acting “to suppress illegal acts on Indigenous lands” and stressed that conservation programs involve environmentalists and journalists. In a stern speech, the Brazilian government also assured the Human Rights Council of Nations that it was determined to hold democratic elections. But he did raise the voice, refuting comments about the risk of meddling in the country’s electoral process.
Brazil’s statement comes a day after UN High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet issued a warning about the Brazilian election and called for “non-interference” in the elections, as well as criticizing the violence against indigenous people, environmentalists and journalists.
As usual, countries can respond to criticism and comments on Tuesday. The speech was delivered by Tovar Nunes, Brazilian Ambassador to the UN.
“We regret that your last report did not recognize Brazil’s efforts to promote and advance human rights and democracy,” the diplomat said. “We reiterate our firmest commitment to holding free, fair, transparent and secure elections for all, as stipulated in our Constitution and our international obligations,” the Ambassador said. said.
Now, if there’s one thing we can agree on, it’s that there’s no room for inference anywhere. “At this crucial moment for democracy in Brazil, we are supported by the independence and autonomy of our institutions and within the constitutional framework of separation of powers.”
In a rarely seen action regarding Brazil on Monday, the UN demanded independence from national institutions in an election year, called for a “democratic” process without “interference” and warned of violence against women, blacks and LGBTI+ representatives. Movement running for election in October.
Bachelet included Brazil in her report on the issues concerning the party, which she submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Two hours after speaking at a press conference, Bachelet raised the tone of her demands when asked about Brazil. “You have elections in October. And I want elections from all over the world to be fair, transparent and people can participate freely,” he said. “This will be a very important democratic moment and for the democratic process to take place there should be no interference by any party,” he insisted.
Bachelet, who is Chile’s former president and has been in conflict with President Jair Bolsonaro since 2019, chose to raise the alarm about the election in his latest speech before the international body. At the same meeting, he announced that he would not resume the UN’s highest human rights mandate after serving four years.
Indigenous people and environmentalists
As for the situation in Brazil, he did not avoid criticism from various angles during his speech. “I am concerned about threats to environmental human rights defenders and indigenous peoples in Brazil, including exposure to pollution from illegal gold mining,” the Chilean said.
He also criticized the situation of racism and police violence, which led to a crisis between the Jair Bolsonaro government and the international establishment.
In response, the government said:
“Justice institutions are diligently and independently investigating threats and situations of violence against human rights defenders. They also act to suppress illegal acts on indigenous soils,” he said.
“Our national protection program was strengthened in 2019 to include journalists and environmentalists,” the diplomat said. He also insisted that Brazil is “fighting racism” and that law enforcement is being trained in a new program launched in 2021.
Three years ago, the president opposed Chile, praising the dictator Augusto Pinochet. When the general took power, Bachelet’s father was killed and the UN representative himself tortured.
However, he continued his criticism of the human rights situation in Brazil and is now on guard against the electoral situation. “The recent cases of police brutality and structural racism, as well as the attacks on MPs and candidates, particularly African descent, women and LGBTI+ people ahead of the October general elections, are alarming,” he said.
Although Bachelet did not textually mention Jair Bolsonaro’s name and attacks on the judiciary and electoral bodies, he also criticized institutions in a rare gesture. “I call on the authorities to ensure respect for fundamental rights and independent institutions,” Bachelet said.
Brazil included in “critical situations” places in the world
When speaking of Brazil, Bachelet also included the country in a list of nearly 30 places considered to be of worldwide concern for human rights abuses. Over the past three years, Jair Bolsonaro’s government has been criticized on several occasions by international organizations and has increased the pressure on Brazilian diplomacy.
Brazil was listed among places experiencing “critical situations requiring urgent action,” according to Bachelet.
In the particular case of Brazil, he spoke of the country while citing “a disturbing trend towards a reduction in civil space, including attacks on human rights defenders and journalists, and unnecessary restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom.”
The list of mentioned countries also includes Russia, the United States, Turkey, Haiti, Mexico, Guatemala, Mali, China and others. Bachelet made it clear that separate reports on Syria, Venezuela, Yemen and others are yet to be submitted.
source: Noticias
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