{"id":237967,"date":"2010-01-27T17:36:37","date_gmt":"2010-01-27T22:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/globalvoicesonline.org\/?p=115666"},"modified":"2010-01-27T17:36:37","modified_gmt":"2010-01-27T22:36:37","slug":"brazil-the-national-program-for-human-rights-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/237967","title":{"rendered":"Brazil: The National Program for Human Rights – Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

The recently released third edition of the National Program for Human Rights<\/a> (PNDH-3) has met with a storm of criticism<\/a> from many different sectors of society, and even from members of the president's own cabinet. The project comprises reform in amnesty law, abortion, same-sex civil union, media regulation and land reform, in addition to a call for a\u00a0truth commission\u00a0to investigate torture, killings and disappearances during military rule\u00a0(1964 to 1985),\u00a0similar to that of Argentina and Chile<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The agribusiness sector has opposed the proposed new approach to the question of land ownership. The subject of freedom of the press is dealt with in ways that many in the mainstream media disapprove of. The program's liberal positions on abortion and same-sex union have faced demands for amendments from the Catholic Church and other groups. To top it all, the PNDH-3 had touched on, at first,\u00a0the possibility of creating a\u00a0military abuses inquiry<\/a>, a deep-seated\u00a0taboo. Because of this, the truth commission may\u00a0no longer come <\/a>into being\u00a0after military chiefs strongly opposed the proposal.<\/p>\n

In favor of the document are human rights and grassroots organizations, NGOs and many bloggers. Over the past weeks, Twitter users have worn a twibbon in support of the program<\/a> and mobilized online and offline the resistance PNDH-3 has encountered. <\/em>Conversa de Bar<\/em><\/a> [pt] explains to its audience the reason for the creation of the National Human Rights Program, back during the term in office of former president\u00a0Fernado Henrique Cardoso<\/a>,\u00a0in the first place:<\/p>\n

\n

O PNDH \u00e9 o resultado de um compromisso assumido pelo Brasil no Tratado de Viena\u00a0 durante a\u00a0 Confer\u00eancia Mundial Sobre Direitos Humanos de 1993. Trata-se de um programa plurianual elaborado por amplos setores da Sociedade Civil (movimentos sociais e entidades de classe) e setores governamentais que prop\u00f5e diretrizes e metas a serem implementadas por pol\u00edticas p\u00fablicas voltadas para a consolida\u00e7\u00e3o dos direitos humanos. O programa em si n\u00e3o \u00e9 auto-execut\u00e1vel, como a m\u00eddia faz parecer. Para que cada uma das propostas entre em vigor \u00e9 necess\u00e1ria a aprova\u00e7\u00e3o pelo Congresso Nacional.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[The] PNDH is the result of Brazil's\u00a0commitment to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action<\/a> adopted at\u00a0the 1993\u00a0World Conference on Human Rights<\/a>. It is a multi-year program devised by many civil organisations (grassroots movements and professional associations) and governmental sectors proposing\u00a0guidelines and goals to be set through public policies aiming at consolidating human rights. The program, itself, is not self-enforceable in the way that the mainstream media pictures it. For the changes to be adopted, the National Congress needs to approve each one of them.<\/div>\n

Not only has the government's initiative attracted opposition attention, but it has also harvested criticism at home, with the country\u2019s defence minister Nelson Jobim and the heads of the three armed forces\u00a0all threatening to resign in protest, which has made President Lula retreat.\u00a0Raphael Neves, from the\u00a0Politika etc<\/em><\/a> blog,\u00a0summarizes the three groups in uproar<\/a> [pt]:<\/p>\n

\n

Quem est\u00e1 contra o programa, em resumo, s\u00e3o: a) Militares, que n\u00e3o querem nem ouvir falar em Comiss\u00e3o da Verdade; b) M\u00eddia, que \u00e9 contra debate sobre regulamenta\u00e7\u00e3o dos meios de comunica\u00e7\u00e3o (vide Confecom); c) Produtores rurais, que s\u00e3o contr\u00e1rios \u00e0 proposta de se alterar a media\u00e7\u00e3o de conflitos no campo.
\n[…]
\nDe fato, o programa inova em rela\u00e7\u00e3o \u00e0 quest\u00e3o da anistia, pois pretende instituir uma Comiss\u00e3o de Verdade. Mas, de resto, ruralistas e oposi\u00e7\u00e3o pegam carona para atacar o PNDH como um todo.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Those against the program are, in short: a) The Military, which will not even hear about the truth commission, b) \u00a0The media, which is against the debate on regulation of the media (check out the National Communication Conference) c) Farmers, who are against the proposed \u00a0mediation of land conflicts in the countryside.
\n[…]
\nIn fact, the program is innovative when it comes to amnesty, because it aims to establish a truth commission. But, moreover, landowners and the opposition to the government have piggybacked to attack the PNDH as a whole.<\/div>\n

The controversy has grown even within the Catholic Church, often a government ally on human rights issues. On one hand, the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops (CNBB)\u00a0issued a declaration<\/a> [pt] “reaffirming its position, manifested many times, in defense of life and the family, and against the decriminalization of abortion, against marriage between people of the same sex and the right of adoption of children by homosexual couples”. On the other hand, some pro-choice catholic groups and followers have welcomed and endorsed the policy, considering provisions for same-sex union and adoption as a milestone.\u00a0Leonardo Sakamoto<\/a><\/em> [pt] goes further, criticizing the Church's stance against the program,\u00a0adding<\/a> sarcastically:<\/p>\n

\n

Com tanta atitude arbitr\u00e1ria e antidemocr\u00e1tica do governo Lula para ser criticada (tantas mesmo), a igreja foi pin\u00e7ar logo o PNDH, que \u00e9 um exemplo de constru\u00e7\u00e3o coletiva e um alento de civiliza\u00e7\u00e3o em nosso pa\u00eds de mentalidade t\u00e3o tacanha. Traduzindo a fala do bispo: \u201cVemos essas iniciativas como uma forma do Estado ter independ\u00eancia e n\u00e3o seguir as regras que ajudamos a construir ao longo de centenas de anos\u201d. Imagine s\u00f3, onde j\u00e1 se viu duas pessoas do mesmo sexo desejarem ter os mesmos direitos dos heterossexuais? E as mulheres pobres que fazem aborto, ent\u00e3o! Querem se ver livres da cadeia! E o pior de tudo: tirar os crucifixos e as santinhas de estabelecimentos p\u00fablicas. O que esse pa\u00eds pensa que \u00e9? Laico?!
\n[…]
\nEm suma, se todo lan\u00e7amento de PNDH gerar um debate nacional sobre os direitos humanos em um pa\u00eds que tem vergonha de defender direitos humanos, proponho que n\u00e3o esperemos mais sete anos e que, em 2010, tenhamos mais um. No m\u00ednimo, far\u00e1 com o padre, o delegado e o coronel se manifestem novamente, lembrando ao Brasil que ele \u00e9 brasil.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

With so many crazy, arbitrary and antidemocratic deeds of Lula's government to criticise (really, there are so many), the church singled out specifically the PNDH, which is an example of collective construction and a breath of civilisation in our so narrow minded country. Translating the bishop's speech: “We see these initiatives as a way of the State gaining independence and not following the rules that we helped to build over hundreds of years\u201d. Imagine that, two people of the same sex wishing \u00a0to have the same rights as heterosexuals? And the poor women who abort, too! They only want to be freed from jail! And the worst of all: to take crucifixes and the little saints down from\u00a0public offices. What does this country think it is? Secular?!
\n[…]
\nIn short, if every time a PNDH is released it generates a national debate on human rights in a country that is ashamed of advocating human rights, I propose that we do not wait for seven more years and do it again in 2010. At least, it will make the priests and sheriffs and colonels cry out again, reminding Brazil that it is Brazil.<\/div>\n

Nevertheless, some bloggers support the opposition stance and argue that PNDH-3 is, in fact, the beginning of a coup d'\u00e9tat<\/em>. Among these bloggers, Devaneios Cotidianos<\/em><\/a> [pt] embraces some points of view on human rights made popular by the media:<\/p>\n

\n

Programa Nacional dos Direitos Humanos?
\nOu seria apenas um meio sutil de um governo de esquerda controlar algumas liberdades alheias?
\nTenho percebido que os “pol\u00edticos” de esquerda da Am\u00e9rica Latina deixaram a viol\u00eancia de lado e est\u00e3o utilizando agora de um outro meio para atingir seus objetivos totalit\u00e1rios: o sistema democr\u00e1tico.
\nQuerem a todo custo legitimar a ditadura da esquerda.
\nE o povo ignorante ainda permite, gra\u00e7as as esmolas populistas que recebem.
\nE a vida segue.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

National Program of Human Rights?
\nOr is it just a subtle way for this leftist government to control the freedoms of some?
\nI have noticed that the Latin American\u00a0left-wing “politicians” have left violence aside and are now using another approach to achieve their totalitarian goals: the democratic system.
\nThey want, at all costs, to legitimize the left-wing\u00a0dictatorship.
\nAnd the ignorant still allow this to happen, thanks to the populist handouts they get.
\nAnd life goes on.<\/div>\n

The right-wing blog Uni\u00e3o Nacional Republicana<\/em><\/a> [pt] adds insult to injury presenting a hoax that even Rio de Janeiro's famous landmark Christ the Redeemer is at risk:<\/p>\n

\n

Acredite quem quiser mas uma an\u00e1lise atenta da M … gestada pelo Vannuchi, apoiada pelo Tarso e desejada pelo Lula tem entre seus objetivos a demoli\u00e7\u00e3o da est\u00e1tua do Cristo Redentor – no meio de centenas de itens pro\u00edbe que s\u00edmbolos religiosos sejam usados em locais p\u00fablicos de forma destacada e o Cristo Redentor foi eleito recentemente uma das maravilhas do mundo moderno.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Believe me or not but a careful analysis of this S*** devised by [the Minister of the Special Secretariat of Human Rights] Vannuchi, supported by [the Minister of Justice] Tarso\u00a0and desired by [President] Lula, its goals include the demolition of the statue of Christ the Redeemer – among hundreds of others because of a ban on displaying religious symbols prominently in public places, even if Christ the Redeemer\u00a0was recently elected one of the wonders of the modern world.<\/div>\n

Ant\u00f4nio Arles\u00a0suggests on the\u00a0Arlesophia<\/em><\/a> blog [pt] that\u00a0people need not feel intimidated by such arguments:<\/p>\n

\n

N\u00e3o vamos deixar que meia duzia de golpistas que n\u00e3o representam ningu\u00e9m ganhem no grito. Recuar neste momento pode estimular os \u201cinstintos golpistas\u201d desses seres. Temos direito \u00e0 verdade, \u00e0 justi\u00e7a, \u00e0 mem\u00f3ria!!! Vamos fortalecer nossa democracia, o que passa necessariamente pela abertura dos arquivos da ditadura e pela puni\u00e7\u00e3o daqueles que cometeram crimes hediondos contra \u00e0 humanidade, manchando a imagem de institui\u00e7\u00f5es s\u00e9rias e criando um clima de medo e esquecimento!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

We shall not let half a dozen scammers who do not represent anyone win this fight by screaming loudest. Stepping back now may excite these people's “coup instincts”. We have the right to the truth, to justice, and to memory! We shall strengthen our democracy, by opening the archives of the\u00a0dictatorship\u00a0and punishing those who committed vile crimes against humanity, staining the image of serious institutions and creating a climate of fear and oblivion!<\/div>\n

M\u00f4nica Filomena\u00a0sums the conversation up on\u00a0Nosso Direito<\/em><\/a> with an insightful argument looking at the full picture. She says<\/a> [pt]:<\/p>\n

\n

Em que pese o posicionamento pol\u00edtico, n\u00e3o podemos esquecer que o Brasil hoje faz parte do cen\u00e1rio internacional.<\/p>\n

Incumbe saber; se o Brasil ir\u00e1 efetivamente assumir que \u00e9 um Pa\u00eds cujo regime \u00e9 de direito e democr\u00e1tico; fazendo cumprir seus compromissos internacionais, ou, se calar\u00e1; sucumbindo literalmente diante de interesses de algumas minorias.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Despite the political stance, we must not forget that nowadays Brazil is on the international stage.
\nIt is wise to know whether Brazil will effectively become a country whose regime is democratic and ruled by law, enforcing its international agreements; or whether it will, rather, silence itself, literally succumbing in the face of a few minorities.<\/div>\n

The second edition of the National Program for Human Rights<\/a> [pt] was implemented in Brazil in 2002. The first PNDH<\/a> had been launched in 1996. PNDH-3 is a government program to be executed under a future government. The second edition of the PNDH repeats the first, with minor changes, while PNDH-3 confirms, updates and expands on the first two editions, both designed during former president\u00a0Fernado Henrique Cardoso<\/a>'s term in office.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The recently released third edition of the National Program for Human Rights (PNDH-3) has met with a storm of criticism from many different sectors of society, and even from members of the president's own cabinet. The project comprises reform in amnesty law, abortion, same-sex civil union, media regulation and land reform, in addition to a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4749,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-237967","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237967","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4749"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=237967"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237967\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=237967"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=237967"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=237967"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}