Rio government apologizes to victims of the military dictatorship.

From Agência Brasil

Rio de Janeiro - Twenty-eight years after the end of the military regime, the Rio government officially apologized to dozens of former political prisoners and deputies persecuted and imprisoned during the dictatorship. The ceremony took place today (22) at the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj). During the symbolic act, the state secretary of Social Assistance and Human Rights, Zaqueu Teixeira, said that next week Governor Sérgio Cabral should sign the decree for the creation of a new Special Reparation Commission that will analyze cases that were not reported in the first commission, established in 2004.

"The important thing is that we have finalized the payment of all approved claims. The government will open this new commission to provide financial and moral compensation to people who were unable to register in the first instance. Once the commission is opened, these people will have 180 days to register, proving with photos, newspaper clippings, and documents that they were tortured or threatened during the military regime. The commission will evaluate the cases," highlighted Zaqueu Teixeira.

Of the 1.114 cases opened in 2004, 790 were approved, and the individuals have already received compensation of R$ 20, in addition to a reparation agreement from the state. Activist Vera Vital Brasil, who was imprisoned in 1969, represented the RJ Memory, Truth and Justice Collective, which promotes actions related to these issues. For her, a genuine apology is one that promotes action and strengthens human rights work. "Insincere apologies are worthless. We want something concrete from the state, with effective actions."

Besides Vera, another activist arrested in 1972 was Maria Cristina Capistrano. She considered the recognition belated, but also a way to try to repair the suffering of many people who were persecuted and tortured during that turbulent political period. "A full reparation will never exist. This apology is important, especially to create a different culture within public security agencies. But, unfortunately, what we see today is that nothing has changed regarding public security policies. Just look at the actions of the police during demonstrations."