In a recent statement, UN Special Rapporteur Bernard Duhaime emphasised that Brazil must confront the violations committed during its dictatorship to assure human rights and democracy. Concluding his nine-day visit, Duhaime assessed Brazil’s efforts in truth-seeking, justice, reparation, and memorialisation pertaining to serious human rights abuses from 1964 to 1985. He highlighted that Brazil’s historical context demonstrates persistent institutional violence across various sectors, notably impacting indigenous populations and individuals of African descent.
Duhaime reiterated that the repercussions of past violence have reverberated through generations and warned against the consequences of inadequate transitional justice legislation. Despite notable strides since 1985, the limited execution of these policies has led to an ongoing erosion of democracy and the rule of law. He stressed that without addressing the rights to truth, justice, and reparation for all victims, societal divisions will persist, risking a repetition of history.
To divert from this trajectory, he urged Brazil to augment and expedite the transitional justice measures proposed in the National Truth Commission’s final report. His full analysis will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2025, underlining the urgent action necessary to heal the nation’s wounds and secure fundamental rights for every citizen.
UN Special Rapporteur Bernard Duhaime calls on Brazil to address its dictatorship’s human rights violations to safeguard democracy and justice. His findings from a nine-day visit highlight ongoing institutional violence and the shortcomings of transitional justice policies, urging urgent action to avoid repeating historical injustices.
In summary, Mr. Bernard Duhaime’s observations underscore the critical need for Brazil to confront its past dictatorship’s human rights violations. His findings highlight the ongoing impacts of institutional violence and the importance of comprehensive transitional justice policies to avert potential future crises. Urgent implementation of these measures is essential for fostering equality, healing societal divides, and ensuring that the tragedies of the past do not repeat.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
