The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warned in Geneva this Tuesday of attacks on the Brazilian electoral process, noting that he was “very concerned” about political violence on the eve of the election this Sunday.
“We are aware of reports of political violence and are deeply concerned by reports of ongoing violence involving political parties, supporters and candidates,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Office for Human Rights.
He stressed that states have “an obligation to guarantee the full implementation of the political rights of their citizens in all their diversity”. “This includes creating an environment where they can freely exchange information and ideas and where the press can safely exercise control over the electoral process,” he said.
The spokesperson criticized attacks on electronic voting machines and threats of non-recognition of election results, without naming President Jair Bolsonaro.
“We also note repeated attempts to cast doubt on the reliability of the electoral system and threats of not recognizing the election results. This poses a serious risk to the democratic process.”
In an appeal, the UN urged “all political leaders and candidates” to take action not to encourage “the use of violence against political opponents” ahead of the October 2 elections.
Last week, in an unprecedented statement in the recent history of Brazilian democracy, eight UN (United Nations) rapporteurs came together to ask Brazilian officials, candidates and political parties to ensure that the next elections are “peaceful and electoral”. violence is prevented”. The declaration came just days after President Jair Bolsonaro used the UN tribune to campaign politically, a gesture that infuriated foreign governments by Brazil’s stance.
The statement criticized the attacks on the judiciary and ballot boxes without even mentioning the name of the President of Brazil, and warned about the impact of this behavior on the survival of democracy. Behind the scenes, UN sources confirmed that the measure was the way found to pressure the government not to violate election rules.
Brazil cannot be sanctioned for the statements of the rapporteurs. But the statement serves as a warning that the international community is unwilling to accept a democratic collapse in the country. Should Bolsonaro choose this path, the effect will be almost immediate international condemnation.
“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.
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 Garcia-Sayan, Rapporteur
Last month, then-UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet criticized Bolsonaro’s attacks on democratic institutions and polls and incitement to violence. His stance prompted Itamaraty to present a formal protest against Chile.
At the beginning of the year, he had already warned of the risk of violence that caused the government to speak out against Bachelet, demanding “no interference” in the Brazilian election.
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 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.
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-based misinformation and incitement by candidates and their supporters during the election campaign could trigger violence.
According to them, “it is up to the state to ensure that all electoral processes are non-discriminatory, free of misinformation, hate speech and incitement to violence. All fundamental freedoms, including freedom of assembly and association and freedom of expression, must be defended”, the eight rapporteurs said.
source: Noticias
