Amnesty recognizes the rights of children of persecuted individuals.

Carolina Gonçalves
Reporter from Agência Brasil

Brasilia – Almost ten years away from Brazil with no expectation of returning to a quiet, ordinary life. Sílvia Perone was only 5 years old when she was separated from her father, a state deputy at the time, who was persecuted by the military regime and had to leave the Legislative Assembly in a hurry and embark for exile in Chile, where the family reunited. Later, another move, this time to France.

This week, Sílvia, who still retains her French accent and the emotional memories of a turbulent period in her life, was granted amnesty. A few years ago, state pardons and financial compensation or recognition of qualifications earned in other countries, such as university degrees, were granted only to those who had been politically persecuted. Only recently have family members, especially the children of these activists, begun to receive recognition for the restrictions they endured.

After recounting her story, including the death of one of her sisters who became involved with drugs after the end of her exile, Sílvia heard the state's apology, delivered by 16 members of the Amnesty Commission. Fifteen other children of political prisoners were also granted amnesty in the same hearing, which took place three days ago in Brasília.

At the time of their departure from Brazil, Silvia, her two sisters, and their mother only managed to reunite with their country days later. From then on, the Perone family's life consisted of following life in their country of origin from afar, a country experiencing a turbulent political period. In Chile, the Perones received news from family and friends and welcomed other persecuted military personnel who had had to leave Brazil.

Two years later, the entire family had to move again. This time, they went to France in 1972, when the situation for Brazilian activists fighting against the military regime worsened.

“I have fond memories of Chile. Our house was open and we received many people, and for us, it was always a mess. In France, it all hit me. My father realized he couldn't go back anymore and things became more difficult,” she said.

Silvia recounts that news of friends being arrested and murdered began arriving more frequently, and their situation in Paris became complicated. “My father was seen as if he were a monster. Brazilian tourists were afraid to have contact with us. There was secret police everywhere,” she said.

Since 2001, when the commission was created, 60 cases have been judged. Of this total, 40 people received a pardon from the State, and most of them were also financially compensated for the losses and restrictions they suffered during the period of the military dictatorship.

“It is a recognition of years of restrictions. The damage caused by the period of the dictatorship is transgenerational and includes psychological, physical, and restrictions on national rights,” explained Paulo Abrão, president of the Commission. According to him, in the initial stages of the commission's work, the situation of the children of these political prisoners was ignored. “Today this is a settled matter,” he said.