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Switzerland knew about torture of opponents in Brazil, says telegram from former consul.

In a 1973 telegram, the then Swiss consul in Rio, Marcel Guelat, sent a communication to the Secretary-General of the Department of Politics of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ernesto Thalmann, stating that torture was "always practiced more or less openly."

Switzerland knew about torture of opponents in Brazil, says telegram from former consul.

247 - Diplomats in Bern, Switzerland, were aware of the use of violence against opponents of the Brazilian military regime during the dictatorship (1964-1985). This is what confidential documents from one of the most active foreign ministries in Europe indicate.

In a telegram dated October 24, 1973, the then Swiss consul in Rio, Marcel Guelat, sent a communication to the Secretary-General of the Department of Politics of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ernesto Thalmann, regarding the situation in the country. The text – entitled "Torture in Brazil" – was a response to a request for information from Bern.

The consul states that torture was "always practiced more or less openly." "Even though Brazil's economic situation shows significant recovery, in contrast to neighboring countries, it is no less true that the military dictatorship intends to remain in power through very severe repression," he says. This information was published by the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo.

In his report to the Swiss government, the diplomat cites the Department of Political and Social Order (DOPS), "known for its brutality." "Certain army units are beginning to resort to various methods of torture: corporal punishment, burns, electric shocks, cold chambers, etc.," the diplomat told his superiors in Bern.

According to him, there was no doubt about the involvement of the top brass of the Brazilian government. "Given the military discipline that reigns in the troops, it seems unthinkable to me that these facts are ignored by the highest echelons, but rather, it leads us to believe that the Brazilian government has changed its mind and approves of the use of torture, while continuing to deny the facts," he stated.