Brazilian parliamentarians travel to US to discuss attacks on democracy

The Joint Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPMI) investigated the actions of the official delegation of representatives and senators who participated. On the 8th of January 2023 Brasilia arrived in the United States this Tuesday, the 29th, for meetings with members of the United States Congress who were part of the group that examined the episodes related to the invasion of the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

The idea is to exchange information on how the two countries have acted to guarantee the maintenance of democracy in the face of attempts to alter the outcome of presidential elections and such cases that undermine the democratic rule of law.

Senators are part of the delegation. Elysian Gamma (PSD-MA), Humberto Costa (PT-PE) and Rogerio Correa (PT-MG), and representatives Jandra Feghali (PCdoB-RJ), Pastor Henrique Vieira (PSOL-RJ) and Rafael Brito (MDB-AL). The delegation is accompanied by Rogerio Sotelli, Executive Director of the Vladimir Herzog Institute.

The agenda through the 2nd includes meetings with historically pro-Brazil US members of parliament Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders, Susan Wild, Jim McGovern, Kamlager-Dove, Castro and Cory Bush and Sui Garcia; Uzra Zia, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights at the US Department of State, Ivan Marquez, Secretary of Multidimensional Security of the Organization of American States, and members of the Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, in addition to Georgetown University students.

January 8 CPI's rapporteur, Senator Elysian Gama, wishes to present to members of the US Parliament a summary of the activities carried out at the college. The document points out that the CPMI's landmark decision on January 8 was “a deliberate move, the result of deliberate action and neglect by Jair Bolsonaro and his most direct allies, who were willing to do anything to retain power.” .

The CBI completed its work in October 2023 with an approved report recommending the indictment of 61 people, including former President Jair Bolsonaro and military personnel who served in key positions in his government, including Walter Braga Neto, Augusto Hellino, Luis Eduardo Ramos, Paulo. Sérgio Nogueira, Almir Garnier and Marco Antônio Freire Gomes.

The report also says that January 8 is not over yet. “Although Brazilian democratic institutions have survived attempts to subvert the constitutional order, threats still linger in the air,” the document says.

counterpoint

Although it has been revealed since the end of 2023, the delegation's trip to the US serves as a counterpoint to the movement of Bolsonaro parliamentarians abroad. In March and April, representatives and senators led by Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP), Gustavo Gaerre (PL-GO) and Pia Kissis (PL-DF) were in the US and English parliaments and met with right-wing members of Congress. Brazil enjoys exceptional status, with both countries spreading the false doctrine of violation of fundamental rights and persecution of political opponents.