Geneva, 12 December 2014. The OMCT welcomes the final report of the Brazilian National Truth Commission (CNV) that examined and investigated the grave human rights violations committed during the 21 years of military dictatorship in the country.
After two years of research, analysis of historical documents, and public hearings, the Commission concluded that practices of unlawful detention, torture, sexual violence, executions and forced disappearances were performed systematically by state agents under Brazil's military rule, and constituted crimes against humanity.
The final report describes the stories of 434 deaths and political disappearances, and names more than 300 public agents and individuals that acted on the name of the State that were involved in the grave human rights violations committed during that period.
Among its recommendations the report asks for the recognition of the Armed Forces of their institutional responsibility for the crimes committed during 1964 to 1985, and for the non-application of the Amnesty Law (6.683/79) to the public agents involved in grave human rights violations, since crimes against humanity are imprescriptible and ineligible for amnesty.
“Recognizing the facts is an important first step; the families of the victims and/or the victims themselves are entitled to accountability and compensation for the horrible crimes committed against them.” Said Gerald Staberock, Secretary General of the OMCT. “It is now to honor the recommendations of the Commission. An amnesty law for torture is unlawful and should have no place in the 21st century’.
The CNV also recognized the persistency of grave human rights violations in the current days in Brazil, reflected in police violence and the practice of unlawful detentions, torture and forced disappearances.
The OMCT calls the Brazilian Government to act upon the CNV’s recommendations and ensure that concrete steps are taken towards justice and reconciliation.
For further information please contact:
Carolina Bárbara, +41 (0)22
8094939 cb@omct.org
CNV_PRESS RELEASE
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