Public note: Classification of Brazilian factions by the USA creates room for interference in Brazil
Organizations in the network of the Pact for Democracy make a statement in response to the inclusion of Brazilian criminal factions as Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the United States
The decision by the US State Department to classify the criminal factions Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) as terrorist organizations, published after a meeting of tentative presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro with Donald Trump, lights a warning sign on the political interests that may be associated with the measure. Given this action, the Pact for Democracy restates its unwavering defense of national sovereignty, particularly in a decisive year for the future of democracy in Brazil.
Presented under the guise of fighting organized crime, the classification of factions as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO), in the terms of US legislation, starting on June 5, may be used as justification for sanctions, expand diplomatic pressure mechanisms, and create space for interference in Brazilian internal affairs, including electoral matters.
The fight against organized crime requires legitimate international cooperation, built with respect towards national institutions and directed to the strengthening of the capacities of the Brazilian State, and not unilateral initiatives that weaken national autonomy or expand possibilities of foreign political interference.
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Public security experts already question the efficacy of the measure and warn of its potential impacts to the country’s sovereignty, a cornerstone of the Federative Republic of Brazil and structuring principle of its international presence. Besides, it may significantly affect Brazilian banking and finances by expanding the possibility of arbitrary US sanctions against banks, companies and national institutions, including through indirect means. Even worse, its adoption tends to directly increase the criminalization of families, residents, and movements and/or entities of civil society that work with already vulnerable communities, as the US experience itself shows.
The decision is also related to the right of the country to conduct its democratic processes without foreign pressure or attempts to influence its political developments. In an electoral year, the rhetoric of fighting organized crime cannot be used as rationale for actions that threaten the autonomy of the Brazilian state, that make fundamental rights relative or open precedents for indwelling in subjects that are under the exclusive purview of the country.
In a context notable for the progress of authoritarianism and political instrumentalization of institutional violence and economic, diplomatic, and institutional pressure mechanisms, it is fundamental to reiterate that no political project, whether internal or external, may overlap the Rule of Law and the democratic construction of free, sovereign institutions, as agreed among all parties since October 5th, 1988.
The Pact for Democracy will remain vigilant in the defense of democratic institutions, national sovereignty, and the construction of a country free from authoritarianisms, external threats, and attempts at political intimidation.
THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS SIGN THIS STATEMENT:
- Aláfia Lab
- Aliança Brazil Office
- Aliança Nacional LGBTI+
- Bonde
- BrCidades
- Centro de Convivência É de lei
- Coalizão Brasil por Memória, Verdade, Justiça, Reparação e Democracia
- Conectas Direitos Humanos
- Clima de Política
- Delibera Brasil
- Escola da Democracia
- Frente Ampla Democrática pelos Direitos Humanos – FADDH
- Frente de Evangélicos pelo Estado de Direito
- Instituto Alziras
- Instituto Democracia e Sustentabilidade – IDS
- Instituto Democracia em Xeque
- Instituto de Defesa do Direito de Defesa – IDDD
- Instituto de Estudos Socioeconômicos – INESC
- Instituto Foz
- Instituto Lamparina
- Instituto Marielle Franco – IMF
- Instituto Sou da Paz
- Instituto Terra, Trabalho e Cidadania – ITTC
- Kurytiba Metropole
- Movimento Negro Evangélico do Brasil
- Nonada Jornalismo
- Observatório do Marajó
- Open Knowledge Brasil
- Pensamento Nacional das Bases Empresariais – PNBE
- Plataforma Brasileira de Política de Drogas – PBPD
- Plataforma JUSTA
- ponteAponte
- Rede Conhecimento Social
- Rede Justiça Criminal
- Sleeping Giants Brasil
- Transparência Eleitoral Brasil – TEB
- 4Daddy
