Bulletin 182 – People’s Committee in Defense of Lula and Democracy
Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil – 8/19/2018 – 7:30 PM
1. The ex-Foreign Affairs Minister Celso Amorim reiterated today that Brazil is legally obligated to respect the UN Human Rights Committee ruling to guarantee President Lula’s right to run for the presidency of the Republic. If they do not, the country runs the risk of becoming a pariah state in the international community. Amorim emphasized that the United Nations Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights was ratified by Congress in 2009, transforming it into national law. Brazil is legally required to accept the decisions of the Committee, which is formed by independent experts from different nations. Watch the video here: http://www.pt.org.br/amorim-congresso-ratificou-jurisdicao-obrigatoria-da-onu/
2. The UN Human Rights Committee ruled on Friday, August 17th, that the Brazilian State, “take all necessary measures to permit that Lula (…) exercises his political rights from prison, as candidate in the 2018 presidential elections,” and that they must not “impede that Lula runs in the elections until all of the pending appeals against his conviction are completed in fair proceedings.” See the answers to the most common questions about the Committee’s decision here: http://www.pt.org.br/as-perguntas-mais-frequentes-sobre-a-liminar-da-onu-a-lula/
3. While the foreign press clearly showed the reach of the UN Committee’s decision, the Brazilian press, with rare exceptions, continues trying to hide and distort the fact – in some cases actually lying to the public. One clear case of a demonstration of total ignorance about international law and the UN system was demonstrated by the journalist Carlos Alberto Sardenberg, from Globo’s CBN Radio. He called the UN decision “fake news”, despite the fact that his commentary on the issue perfectly fits the description of fake news. Read more here: https://lula.com.br/radio-da-globo-mente-sobre-decisao-da-onu/
Also see the article by ex-Justice Minister Eugênio Aragão on the same theme:
https://www.diariodocentrodomundo.com.br/sardenberg-o-ministro-do-stf-e-a-imodestia-dos-idiotas-no-caso-lula-onu-por-eugenio-aragao/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
4. The current President of the Republic, Michel Temer, whose government is trying to disqualify the UN decision regarding Lula, was President of Congress during the year in which the United Nations Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights was ratified as national law in Brazil. It was transformed into law the moment in which the National Congress published Legislative Decree 311, in 2009. With this, the Congress uniquivicoly gave power to the UN Human Rights Committee to rule on cases solicited by Brazilians who allege that their rights were violated in national territory. Read more here: https://www.redebrasilatual.com.br/politica/2018/08/temer-era-presidente-da-camara-quando-brasil-se-obrigou-a-cumprir-o-pacto-internacional-em-2009
5. Although some communications mediums continue to try to hide Lula from the news, the Brazilian people are promoting more and more demonstrations of affection and support for the ex-President, the most popular in the nation’s history. On Saturday, August 18th, in the busy bus terminals in Belo Horizonte, the people sang the Alceu Valença song which, translated to English, goes, “you are coming, you are coming, I can see the signals,” followed by the “olê, olê, olê olá, Lula, Lula” chant. There were also emotional Lulaço demonstrations in Salvador, Bahia. As the crowds sing, they shout “Free Lula” and “Lula President!” Watch video footage here: https://lula.com.br/fim-de-semana-e-tempo-de-lulaco-bh-e-salvador-demonstram-seu-apoio-a-lula/
6. Today the #LulaLivre Vigil received a historic activist: Mario Moreira, 95 years old, a native of Alagoas who has lived in Curitiba for 35 years. He always voted for Lula and asked his son Dario Moreira and his grandson Luan Moreira to bring him to visit the Vigil, where he joined with the crowd of activists who have been participating in the democratic resistance for over 4 months.
7. The “good morning” shout to ex-President Lula on this 135th day of resistance included the voices of Daniel, from the ABC Metallurgical Workers Union and Parana Congressman Tadeu Veneri (PT). Both said that they are sure that Lula will win the presidential elections this year and that he will rebuild the hopes of the Brazilian people for better days. The “good afternoon” yell was marked by the activists reminder of the ex-President’s dream to eliminate hunger in the country.
Bulletin 182 – People’s Committee in Defense of Lula and Democracy
Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil – 8/19/2018 – 7:30 PM
