In a statement unprecedented in recent Brazilian democracy history, eight UN rapporteurs came together to ask Brazilian officials, candidates and political parties to ensure that the next general election “will be peaceful and that electoral violence is prevented”. The declaration came a few days after President Jair Bolsonaro used the UN tribune to campaign politically, a gesture that infuriated foreign governments by Brazil’s stance.
“Threats, intimidation and political violence, including death threats against male and female candidates, particularly against women, indigenous peoples, Afro-grandchildren and LGBTI people – continue to increase online and offline, often based on the intersection of identities,” the rapporteurs said. . “Such actions create terror among the population and prevent potential candidates from taking office,” they say.
The declaration was signed by Clément Nyaletossi Voule, Special Rapporteur on the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of association, Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls, Francisco Cali Tzay, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and Mary Lawlor. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Sudden or Arbitrary Executions; E. Tendayi Achiume, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur for the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Expression and Opinion; Diego García-Sayán, Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers
According to them, the disproportionate impact of political violence on women, indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants and LGBTI individuals can increase this frightening influence among such groups, limiting their opportunities for representation in decisions that affect them, thereby perpetuating the destructive cycle of exclusion. .
Attacks on power and democracy
Experts, without naming President Jair Bolsonaro, also expressed concern over the “continued campaign of defamation and continued attacks on democratic institutions, the judiciary and the electoral system in Brazil, including the electronic electoral system.”
“We urge the authorities to duly protect and respect the work of electoral institutions. We also express our concerns about the impact of such attacks on the upcoming presidential elections and stress the importance of protecting and securing judicial independence,” the experts said. aforementioned.
“We are concerned that this hostile environment poses a threat to political participation and democracy, and we urge the State to protect candidates from any threat, intimidation or attack, online and offline,” the rapporteurs said. Said.
The experts also stressed that “everyone involved in the electoral process should display a peaceful behavior before, during and after the elections”.
“Candidates and political parties should avoid using offensive language that could lead to violence and human rights violations,” he said. Experts said that hate speech, gender disinformation and incitement by candidates and their supporters during the election campaign may trigger violence.
“The state must ensure that all electoral processes are non-discriminatory, free from disinformation, hate speech and incitement to violence. All fundamental freedoms must be defended, including freedom of assembly and association and freedom of expression.” reporters.
source: Noticias
