“Those who participated in the coup must be punished. It is not possible to forgive those who violate the rule of law. “This would be impunity,” Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said during a commemoration of the coup attempt on January 8, 2022. There was no need to mention the name of his predecessor. Jair Bolsonaro, nor his most radical followers, who attacked the headquarters of the three powers of the Republic that Sunday. Everyone knew who he was talking about. Accompanied by judicial, legislative and political authorities, apart from Jair Bolsonaro’s followers, Lula praised all Brazilians who “put themselves above divisions” in the face of the threat of uprising. “We are saving democracy, but this is never a guarantee”, needs care every day. “It’s flawed because we’re human, but we must all join forces to improve it.”
According to Lula, the rule of law guarantees freedoms and obligations, but “there can be no freedom to lie and defame on social networks.” In this sense, the leader of the Workers’ Party (PT) stated that 83E is “fuel for misinformation and hate speech”. “We will be under constant threat if the use of social networks is not regulated.” Between 2019 and 2022, the far-right government encouraged the spread of fake news through structures known as “digital militias.” Bolsonaro and his children were investigated for these actions. The former president was barred from elective office until 2030 for questioning the transparency of the 2022 elections, which favored Lula.
“Long live democracy, democracy always”, Lula said this at the end of his speech. She had previously acknowledged that “there will be no full democracy as long as inequalities persist”. Brazilians must be able to “unite to build a more just country,” as they did in their most dramatic hour a year ago.
Other conversations
“Actions against democracy must have criminal consequences”said Paulo Gonet, head of prosecutors. ““These things did not happen and they will not happen.”, stated Luis Alberto Barroso, the highest authority of the Supreme Federal Court (STF). The sacking of the three powers’ headquarters was “neither an accident nor an isolated incident: it was meticulously prepared and preceded by years of attacks on institutions.”
““Nothing can justify what happened in 8E” He recognized Senate president Rodrigo Pacheco. “We must be vigilant against the actions of traitors.”
“Democracy won” Alexandre de Moraes, member of the STF and the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (STE), emphasized “the strength of our institutions and the unity of the powers of the three powers to defend the Constitution.” De Moraes, whom Bolsonaro considers one of his arch-enemies, gave the following assurance: ““Strengthening the rule of law should not confuse peace and unity with impunity.” Therefore, “anyone who acts cowardly will be duly investigated, prosecuted and punished to the extent of their responsibilities. Democracy does not allow political forgetfulness.” In the face of the upcoming municipal elections in October, the minister demanded that he pay attention to how “extreme digital populism” acts on networks and became an expert on the “spread of fake news and the resulting distortion of language.”
Situation in the courts
STF so far convicted 30 people for participating in the events. Sentences range from 3 to 17 years in prison. All 29 defendants are in the virtual hearing. The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office filed criminal complaints against 1,413 people, most of them for incitement.
One year after the fateful January 8, São Paulo newspaper columnist Camila Rocha said FolhaLittle progress has been made in punishing the major coup plotters. “No politician, soldier, tycoon or landowner has yet been held accountable so strictly as those not in high office. The coup plot involves unrelated characters behind bars: knife-carrying deliveryman Matheus Lima de Carvalho Lázaro and cook Raquel de Souza Lopes are among them. They will serve 17 years in prison. “These descriptions are similar to profiles included in the mapping of approximately 90,000 extremist accounts on X.” A significant part of these accounts “manicurists, hairdressers, salesmen and electricians, those who, for ideological reasons, prefer to call themselves businessmen or entrepreneurs rather than self-employed workers.
In the same vein, Rio newspaper columnist Malu Gaspar Or Globenoted that although high-ranking officers (reserve and active) had played a key role in advancing the coup, “to date, no one has been prosecuted, reported, tried or imprisoned.” stated that Minister of Defense José Múcio, He openly asked Armed Forces commanders to attend the ceremony “as a symbolic sign of respect for democracy.” Previously Múcio “was very effective when it came to: defuse any legal or institutional bombs that might disturb them.” to those in uniform, including rewriting Article 142 of the Congressional Constitution, which “was used by Bolsonaro supporters to justify military intervention.” This article stipulates that military institutions must secure the “defense of the Homeland” and “constitutional powers” but only “under the supreme authority of the President.” The Workers’ Party (PT) wanted this change to be made.
Supreme Federal Court (STF) Minister Gilmar Mendes admitted “absolutely” There were far-right government officials who “somehow encouraged” the uprising. In this sense, General Walter Braga Netto, Bolsonaro’s chief of ministers and then his running mate in the October 2022 elections, said that “he told the protesters who were camped in front of the barracks to have faith and therefore promise some kind of evolution a few days before these events.”
Source: Informacion
James Sean is a writer for “Social Bites”. He covers a wide range of topics, bringing the latest news and developments to his readers. With a keen sense of what’s important and a passion for writing, James delivers unique and insightful articles that keep his readers informed and engaged.