American Congress discusses opening files on the 1964 coup in Brazil
WBO Press release
November 21 2023
• WBO and partner organizations participate in briefing to address the topic
• President Biden received a letter requesting the opening of the files pertaining to the coup
On December 5th, the US Congress will hold a briefing (information session) on the relese of documents produced by the CIA, which is the American intelligence agency, and the Department of State, equivalent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regarding the coup d'état that occurred in Brazil in 1964 and the following dictatorship that lasted until 1985.
On July 5, a group of 16 organizations and 8 indeviduals sent a letter to US President Joe Biden asking for these files to be declassified. In the letter, the organizations called for "the commitment to transparency and the defense of democracy" that unites the US and Brazilian governments. The group also mentioned the 200th anniversary of the American government's recognition of Brazil's independence, which occurred in 1822. Addressing Biden, the signatories recalled that the dictatorship period (1964-1985) "was characterized by repression, human rights abuses and the restriction of civil liberties" and emphasized that these are "scars that continue to impact society today".
The briefing on December 5th will feature the president of the WBO (Washington Brazil Office) Board of Directors, James N. Green, who is also a professor of Brazilian history and culture at Brown University. Also participating are political scientist Maria Hermínia Tavares, researcher at Cebrap (Brazilian Center for Analysis and Planning) and Gabrielle Abreu, coordinator of the Vladimir Herzog Institute.
The briefing at begins at 1pm, Brazilian time, with virtual broadcast and participation upon prior registration.
“We believe that transparency in the discovery of these historical records is essential to foster informed diplomatic relations, promote accountability and gain a deeper understanding of this shared history,” Green said.
The WBO is an independent and non-partisan think tank that specializes in promoting cooperation and knowledge about the Brazilian reality and offering support to the international work of civil society, social movements and other sectors in Brazil in Washington, in defense of democracy, human rights, the environment and freedoms.
Full list of signatories of the letter to Biden:
Citizenship Action
National History Association (ANPUH)
Article 19
Dom Helder Camara Center for Studies and Social Action
Center for Economic and Policy Research
Brazil Coalition for Memory, Truth, Justice, Reparation and Democracy
Collective of Children and Grandchildren for Memory, Truth and Justice
Collective RJ Memory, Truth, Justice and Reparation
Arns Commission
Commission for Relatives of the Dead and Missing
Torture Never Again Group from Bahia
Vladimir Herzog Institute
Justice and Human Rights Movement
SP Memory Center
Opening the Archives Project, Brown University
Washington Brazil Office
Benito Bisso Schmidt, President of ANPUH 2011-2013
Durval Muniz de Albuquerque Júnior, President of ANPUH 2009-2011
Jair Krishke, President of the MJDH
Joana Maria Pedro, President of ANPUH 2017-2019
Luiz Carlos Soares, President of ANPUH 2003-2005
Lana Lage da Gama Lima, President of ANPUH 1997-1999
Maria Helena Rolim Capelato, President of ANPUH 2015-2017
Valdei Lopes de Araújo, President of ANPUH 2021-2023
