Conectas provides contributions for the G20 Supreme Courts meeting

The organization is partnering with the STF on a foundational document for a global meeting taking place next week in Brazil

Sessão plenária do STF. Foto: Gustavo Moreno/SCO/STF.

At the request of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), Conectas provided contributions on the relationship between human rights and the judiciary for the material to be used by participants of the J20, a meeting of representatives from the Supreme Courts of the G20 countries. The meeting which is being organised by the Brazilian Supreme Court will take place from May 12 to 14 in Rio de Janeiro, as part of the country’s presidency of the G20. 

Conectas’ contributions are included in a publication distributed to participants at the event. Instituto Igarapé and UNESCO were the other institutions that provided material. In the introduction of the document, Minister Luís Roberto Barroso, President of the STF, highlights that Conectas was invited to discuss social inclusion due to its work in promoting and expanding human rights and combating inequalities.

The J20 will discuss the role of Supreme Courts in various topics, such as climate, misinformation, and social inclusion. “We are very honoured by the invitation. It is a recognition of our tireless work in defending human rights, which, among other important tools, includes strategic litigation. We hope that our reflections will be useful and will stimulate debate at the meeting.” Said Gabriel Sampaio, Director of Litigation and Advocacy at Conectas. 

Contributions made by Conectas 

In its contributions, Conectas pointed to ways in which the Judiciary could meet the growing social demand for more accessible and inclusive justice and how it can promote social inclusion, defend the principle of equality, and strengthen the rule of law. They also discussed paths to overcoming systemic barriers to justice for individuals and vulnerable groups, among other topics. 

Racial inclusion

The organization also emphasised the need to implement racial inclusion policies. “We highlighted several ways to address this issue: interpreting laws taking into account social and historical inequalities; recognising the presence of structural and institutional racism when establishing legal precedents; promoting education on structural racism and its impacts on law and society; adopting and enforcing norms outlined in international treaties and resolutions related to racial inequality, to name a few.” It says in the text. 

Civil society participation

Elsewhere in the material, Conectas emphasised that “collaboration between the Judiciary and civil society is essential to effectively identify and address issues of citizenship and social inclusion. To achieve this, the Judiciary must actively encourage and facilitate participation by citizens in the administration of justice. This can be accomplished through initiatives such as holding public consultations and open hearings, providing opportunities for citizens to engage directly in the legal process.”

International human rights mechanisms

Finally, the organization also highlighted the importance of recognising the relevance of international human rights mechanisms in safeguarding and promoting fundamental rights globally, protecting individuals from state abuses, and preserving human dignity. “It is essential that legal professionals within the Judiciary adopt this system at all levels. Doing so provides an additional source of norms and jurisprudence to support their decisions, enhancing their ability to protect citizens’ rights and ensuring that national laws are aligned with the universal principles of human rights.” It says in the material.