Brazilian Armed Forces Say They Cannot Deny Torture During Dictatorship

09/23/2014 - 09h12

Minister of Defense Celso Amorim sent on Friday (19) to the National Truth Commission (CNV) letters from the three branches of the Armed Forces admitting, for the first time, that they are unable to deny the occurrence of serious violations of human rights in military installations during the 1964-85 dictatorship.

According to what Folha learned, the Air Force says it has no evidence to dispute that there were serious violations or recognition of State responsibility. The Navy claims it has no evidence to confirm or deny the violations identified by the CNV.

The letter from the Army does not contradict the violations data provided by the commission, claiming that it is not appropriate to challenge decisions already made by the Brazilian government (which has recognized the existence of torture and deaths during that period) nor the circumstances set by law accordingly.

It was a reference to the law that granted compensation to victims and families of the dead and missing, and that created the Amnesty Commission.

In the Defense's assessment, it is an important step forward in public recognition by the three Forces that there was torture and death during the regime and that the Brazilian government holds responsibility for what happened.

The civil area of successive governments has already recognized this reality for years.

Nevertheless, there has been some caution on the impact on CNV itself. The expectation is that, in public, the commission responds saying that something more assertive is needed and that it enters with a new craft.

Behind the scenes, however, the forecast is that there will be goodwill on the part of the Defense and the Armed Forces branches.

ANSWER

The letters from the three branches were ordered by Minister Amorim and in response to a request from the commission on Aug. 13, asking if the Defense and the Armed Forces to "confirm or deny the information presented and proven by the CNV."

On request, the commission listed 24 victims, the violations they suffered, the locations where they occurred and the evidence, which were in this case, court cases and documents from prosecutors or police investigations.

Two days later, Amorim relayed the request to the commanders, anticipating his position that the Brazilian government is unitary and only fit the Defense and the Armed Forces, linked to corroborate the recognition already done before by other instances of the same government.

Translated by JILL LANGLOIS

Read the article in the original language

	Reprodução/cnv.gov.br
	Minister of Defense Celso Amorim sent on Friday (19) to the CNV letters from the three branches of the Armed Forces