Sanders, Democrats Raise Alarm Over Brazil's Jailing of Lula and Right-Wing 'Assault on Democracy a

[Judi Lynn]

Published on
Thursday, July 26, 2018
by Common Dreams

Sanders, Democrats Raise Alarm Over Brazil's Jailing of Lula and Right-Wing 'Assault on Democracy and Human Rights'
Writing to the Brazilian ambassador, 29 lawmakers demand due process for imprisoned former President Lula, an investigation into the assassination of Marielle Franco, and justice for murdered activists

by Jessica Corbett, staff writer



Rio de Janeiro city councilor Marielle Franco (right) was murdered in March, and former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (left) was imprisoned in April. (Photos: Victor Moriyama/Getty Images; Democracy Now!)

In a letter to Brazilian Ambassador Sergio Silva do Amaral, 29 members of Congress on Thursday voiced their concerns about "an intensifying assault on democracy and human rights in Brazil," particularly the incarceration of former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the assassination of Rio de Janeiro city councilor Marielle Franco.

The Intercept's Glenn Greenwald, an American who lives in Brazil, tweeted a copy of the letter early Thursday, summarizing that "its main argument is that democracy and human rights are being eroded."

The letter—spearheaded by Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) and signed by 27 other Democratic lawmakers as well as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)—notes that Lula "was imprisoned following a highly questionable and politicized judicial process in which his rights were apparently violated," and that there is "reason to believe that the main objective for his jailing is to prevent him from running in upcoming elections."

"The fight against corruption must not be used to justify the persecution of political opponents or deny them the right to freely participate in elections," the letter declares, echoing calls from other world leaders that Lula be afforded his constitutional right to due process. The former president was imprisoned in April, just weeks after the assassination of Franco in March.

More:
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/26/sanders-democrats-raise-alarm-over-brazils-jailing-lula-and-right-wing-assault

Editorials and other articles:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016211976

[tonyt53]

1. Having done business in Brazil, I do know one thing, Lula was corrupt as hell.