Authorities repudiate Bolsonaro’s statement that casts doubt on Dilma’s torture during the dictatorship | National newspaper

On Monday (28), when the president left the Palácio da Alvorada, a supporter of his said that he worked during the military government in 1965 and that he did not see torture. In response, Bolsonaro cited former President Dilma Rousseff, who was arrested and tortured in the 1970s, for having participated in an organization that promoted the armed struggle against the dictatorship.

The president said the following: “Boys are victimized all the time: ‘They persecuted me.’ There was a fact there, I forgot the name of the person, but just search the Internet, you will easily find that Dilma was tortured and her jaw was broken. I said, ‘bring me the X-ray so we can see the bone callus. Look, I’m not a doctor. I’m still waiting for the X-ray, ”he said.

The final report of the National Truth Commission, which investigated human rights violations during the dictatorial period, listed a total of 434 political deaths and disappearances.

Former President Dilma Rousseff responded: “Jair Bolsonaro promoted another of his famous infamous and awkward sessions. It is unworthy to treat with disrespect and debauchery the fact that I was illegally arrested and tortured by the military dictatorship. He wanted to provoke laughter and reacted with a sordid laugh to his lies and attacks. Bolsonaro does not respect life, he is a defender of torture and torturers, he is insensitive to death and disease, as he has shown in the face of the almost 200,000 deaths caused by Covid-19, which, incidentally, he refuses to fight . Bolsonaro insults not only me, but thousands of victims of the military dictatorship, tortured and murdered, as well as their families, many of whom did not even have the right to bury their loved ones. ”

The statement of the President of the Republic sparked protests from two other former presidents, including several politicians, as well as representatives of civil society organizations.

Former President Lula wrote that “Brazil loses a bit of humanity every time Jair Bolsonaro opens his mouth. My solidarity with President Dilma, a woman with the courage that Bolsonaro, a man of no value, will never know ”.

Former president Fernando Henrique Cardoso also expressed himself on the networks: “My solidarity with former president Dilma Rousseff. Playing with her or torturing anyone else is unacceptable, whether or not you agree with the political attitudes of the victims. Cross the line ”.

The mayor, deputy Rodrigo Maia, published: “Bolsonaro has no human dimension. Torture is making fun of the pain of the other. I say this because I am the son of an exile and tortured by the dictatorship. My solidarity with former President Dilma. I have differences with the former president, but I have the dimension of respect and human dignity ”.

The president of the MDB and candidate for the presidency of the Chamber, Deputy Baleia Rossi, declared that “it is not about left, center or direct. It’s about human dignity, that’s what it’s about. Our solidarity with former President Dilma Rousseff. Torture never again ”.

The candidate also at the helm of the Chamber, deputy Arthur Lira, leader of the PP, said, in a note, that “torture is not acceptable under any circumstances. We are living the longest period of Brazilian democracy, built with the effort of several actors in national politics. We owe them our respect. ”

The president of the Brazilian Bar Association, Felipe Santa Cruz, also expressed his indignation. His father disappeared in the 1970s and, according to the Truth Commission, he was arrested and murdered by agents of the Brazilian state. Santa Cruz wrote: “Think of a man who, in the midst of a wave of femicides, mocks a trapped and tortured woman. This issue exists and, worse still, presides over Brazil ”.

Twenty-three former political prisoners and victims of the dictatorship delivered a letter to Congress and the Federal Supreme Court in which they expressed their solidarity with former President Dilma and demanded that the authorities act. The group declared that Bolsonaro’s attitude is irresponsible and incompatible with the position he occupies.

The Planalto Palace has not yet commented on the criticism of the president’s statements.