Celso Amorim: Lula and Marielle symbolize the absence of justice and rights in Brazil.
Former Foreign Minister Celso Amorim states, in an interview with TV 247, that Lula's imprisonment and the impunity of Marielle's murderers have a negative impact on Brazil worldwide; he also said that the current government's foreign policy operates "in the realm of irrationality"; watch.
By Guilherme Levorato – Former Foreign Minister Celso Amorim stated, in an interview with journalist Leonardo Attuch, that the assassination of councilwoman Marielle Franco and the imprisonment of former president Lula are two factors that tarnish Brazil's image in the eyes of the world.
Celso Amorim said that these two cases symbolize the lack of justice in Brazil. "There are two things that greatly affect Brazil's image in the world today: Lula's imprisonment and the impunity of Marielle's murderers. Obviously, these arrests are important now, but it's necessary to get to the masterminds and understand the motives behind the assassination. These two events symbolize the absence of a truly impartial justice system that guarantees the rights of citizens."
The former minister also listed freeing former president Lula as his number one task, so that the country can become truly democratic. "It is fundamental that President Lula be released. I think the most immediate, concrete, and symbolic thing that represents a reasonable degree of democracy in Brazil is Lula being freed."
He also said that Lula's opponents are afraid of the people and, therefore, afraid of the former president. "They are afraid of the people, and Lula speaks the voice of the people. The voice of those who are not completely deceived by these memes, by these truncated messages that exploit fear, hatred, and difference. Lula speaks, and speaks with authority, because people's lives have improved; it's not a hypothetical thing."
Amorim also criticized Brazil's foreign policy and the lack of rationality in the diplomatic field. "We are now in the realm of irrationality. That's what I fear, because in these things, suddenly something gets out of control. In Venezuela they managed to contain it, but there was a colonel there on the front lines who said they were shooting at Brazilian territory; what if one of those colonels fires a shot that comes back? That's how wars begin."
Regarding Venezuela, the former minister said that the factor in the failure of the US military intervention in the Latin American country was the Venezuelan military's cohesion and popular support for Maduro. "I think what surprised, above all, the US military, was the cohesion of the Venezuelan Armed Forces and the popular support that Maduro has. He has a lot of opposition but he also has a lot of popular support."
Celso Amorim also recalled the 20-minute meeting between President Jair Bolsonaro and US President Donald Trump. "This illustrates the diminished importance of Brazil. Lula spent about five hours with former President George W. Bush, and now 20 minutes?"
The former minister also commented on the government's decision to withdraw from the Global Compact for Migration. He believes this will harm Brazilians living abroad. "It stops protecting them. And it makes no sense, one cannot understand such a thing, except to imitate the United States and an ideology against the United Nations. I regret to say that it wasn't just Olavo de Carvalho; when the Human Rights Committee granted that injunction that Lula had the right to run for election even while imprisoned, because it would be irreparable harm, there was a judge from a high court and a military chief who said that Brazil could not bow to the UN, that not bowing to the UN is not bowing to civilization."