Feliciano with one foot out of 'Human Rights'
It went badly; for André Moura, leader of the PSC in the Chamber of Deputies, the presence of Congressman Marco Feliciano as president of the Human Rights and Minorities Commission (CDHM) has turned into a battle of conflicting interests: “I feel that dialogue is necessary (...). The Chamber of Deputies and the PSC need to be in tune with the sentiment of Brazilian society”; the party's caucus will meet this Tuesday to reassess the nomination following the negative repercussions; over the weekend, marches in nine state capitals and four other cities called for the removal of the congressman considered homophobic, racist, and fundamentalist.
Sergipe 247 - The leader of the PSC party, federal deputy André Moura, is considering reopening a discussion about the nomination of federal deputy and pastor Marco Feliciano (PSC-SP) to the presidency of the Human Rights and Minorities Commission of the Federal Chamber. The election of the religious leader, who is openly homophobic and has made racist statements, has been controversial and has sparked a series of protests from organized civil society throughout Brazil.
Given this level of strain, André Moura is considering whether to keep Feliciano as chairman of the committee, even though the party has defined political positions. According to the PSC leader, the immense negative repercussions of the case throughout the country should not be disregarded by the party, which is meeting with its members this Tuesday afternoon to reassess the situation.
Moura recalled the commitment made by Feliciano, upon being elected president of the commission, to hold a collegial presidency with the participation of all social and political groups represented on that commission. The PSC leader lamented and found strange the "reaction of groups linked to political parties within the Government's own base, through social media and street demonstrations, who are now trying to prevent Deputy Feliciano from remaining in office."
For André Moura, the discussion has completely moved beyond the political arena and transformed into a battle of conflicting interests. “I feel that dialogue is necessary. We have full confidence that Representative Feliciano will perform his duties efficiently and with respect for all viewpoints. However, the Chamber of Deputies and the PSC need to be in tune with the sentiment of Brazilian society,” he said.
André Moura announced that he will convene the PSC caucus this week to discuss the situation, even though he considered it necessary to "calm things down." Will Feliciano withstand the public pressure?
Read more about the repercussions of the pastor's appointment as president of the CDHM:
Dutra to 247: "Human Rights have become a corral"
"I am against almost everything Feliciano stands for."