Moving Beyond Our Gray Days – Brasilia Conference Underway

The conference "Latin American Conference on Transitional Justice" opened this morning with more than 400 participants from around the world, including diplomats from Russia, Uruguay, Sudan, Portugal, and Equatorial Guinea, among others.

President of the Amnesty Commission Paulo
Abrao shakes hands with the Minister of
Justice of Brazil Jose Eduardo Martins Cardozo

All of the opening speakers emphasized the importance of bringing the debate about transitional justice in Brazil forward through the collective experiences of the conference participants, beginning with Paulo Abrao Pires Junior, national secretary of justice and president of the Amnesty Commission of the Ministry of Justice, one of the conference organizers.

“The conversations from this conference will help us ensure that this country never repeats what happened here in the past. And they will help us create respect for the Brazilian people,” Abrao said.

Director of ICTJ's Truth and Memory
Program Eduardo Gonzalez gives opening remarks

Eduardo Gonzalez Cueva, director of ICTJ’s Truth and Memory Program, echoed the importance of the interchange of ideas with Brazil and the region.

He said, “I am very optimistic that what we see happening in Brazil now is the start of the true end of impunity in this country. There are still those that are defending themselves behind impunity and trying to keep democracy hostage. But I believe these are the last moments of impunity for the region and the conversations in this conference will bring us closer to a goal of truth and accountability.”

Melillo Diniz, director of the Law Program at the Catholic University of Brasilia stressed the importance of dialogue about the past.

“Dialogue is difficult. There are many prejudices in society that we have to face. But as long as the truth is still hidden behind lies, we must be committed to dialogue. The efforts today are a significant step for this,” Diniz said.

Ramais Castro da Silva, executive secretary to the Human Rights Secretary discussed the importance of transitional justice in creating a democracy.

“When we talk about democracy, we must mention transitional justice. We see our important role today in addressing the recent decision of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and approving the legislation for a national truth commission, for which we do have the intention to approve--the sooner the better,” he said.

Jorge Chediek, resident representative of the United Nations in Brazil drew the link between development and transitional justice.

“Development is not only an improvement of living conditions but also a broadening of options, especially to those who have less access to resources and power. Therefore, development is the expansion of rights. The best way to expand rights is through democracy and addressing the past is an important step toward this goal,” he affirmed.

Jose Eduardo Martins
Cardozo, Minister of Justice of
Brazil, gives opening remarks

His Excellency Jose Eduardo Martins Cardozo, minster of justice of Brazil stressed the government’s commitment to addressing the rights of victims.

He said, “Most of us live in countries where there have been gray days, where people were imprisoned, tortured, and killed because they dared to think differently than those who lead and commanded. Overcoming these days and moving to democratic days to create rule of law, to create a democracy, is not simple. But there is no democracy without truth being affirmed in a transparent manner. We are committed to the right to the truth.”

 UN Special Rapporteur on Torture
Juan Mendez gives the keynote speech

Juan Mendez, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture then gave the keynote speech, stressing the importance of compliance with international norms of justice.

“States have an obligation to apply due process of law and we need to make sure we act in the broadest and most harmonic way possible. I remind those here today that there is no statute of limitations for crimes committed during periods of repression,” he said.

Speaking to the Brazilian situation, he remarked, “It is required that we face challenges and address obstacles—like the amnesty law here, which should be interpreted in a restrictive way allowing investigations to be conducted and the attainment of justice. We must make sure that those who are the most responsible for crimes be taken to court and judged.”

The following session will explore reparations in policy and practice. See the full conference schedule.