International Mission publishes its statement on the 1st round
Press release WBO October 7th 2022
Document cites records of 'threats, physical assaults and politically motivated killings'
Group urges the Brazilian government to investigate and hold those involved accountable
The International Mission of Human Rights Specialists, which was in São Paulo and Brasília, from September 28th to October 3th, to monitor the Brazilian presidential elections, published its statement on the first round this Friday (7th).
The main focus of the mission was the monitoring of the protection of human rights in the context of the electoral dispute, in the light of the international standards that should govern the matter. The group says that, in the first round, there were “acts of threats, physical assaults and politically motivated murders took place”, which may have contributed to the abstention rate exceeding 20% (32 million voters absents).
The document also urges “the authorities to act in the coming days with agility and firmness in the investigation, prosecution and accountability” of all those involved in episodes of political violence.
The mission is formed by experts who are international references in the area of human rights with a focus on electoral contexts, including members and former members of civil society organizations and international human rights organizations, as well as former members of governments of other countries.
Mission Members:
Remo Carlotto (Argentina), executive director of the IPPDH (Institute of Public Policies on Human Rights of Mercosur). He was Special Representative for Human Rights Affairs at the International Level of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Argentina and a national deputy for the province of Buenos Aires between 2005 and 2017 and having served as president of the Human Rights Commission of the Chamber of Deputies of the Argentine Nation for several periods between 2006 and 2015. Carlotto is also a professor at Unla (Lanús National University).
Dolores Gandulfo (Argentina), director of Copppal (Electoral Observatory of the Permanent Conference of Political Parties in Latin America and the Caribbean), member of the Observatory of Political Reforms in Latin America and coordinator of the Federation's Working Group on Electoral Observation with a Focus on Human Rights Ibero-American Ombudsman (FIO). Graduated in International Relations (USAL), with a Masters in Public Policy and Development Management (Georgetown University) and a PhD candidate in Political Science (UNSAM). She is also a member of Aeria (Network of Political Scientists and the Association of International Relations Studies of Argentina).
James Green (USA), professor of Brazilian History and Culture at Brown University, USA. Former president of the Brazilian Studies Association (2002-2004). Author and co-editor of 11 books about Brazil. He is currently one of the coordinators of the USNDB (US Network for Democracy in Brazil) and chairman of the Board of Directors of the WBO (Washington Brazil Office).
Carolina Jiménez Sandoval (Venezuela and Mexico), president of Wola (Washington Office on Latin America), with more than 20 years of experience in research and defense of human rights in the Americas and other regions of the world. At Amnesty International, she was Research Director for the Americas, based in Mexico. She previously worked for OS (Open Society Foundations) as a migration-focused program officer for the Latin America Program and the International Migration Initiative. Previously, she was a program manager in the Democracy, Governance and Human Rights unit of Trust for the Americas, a non-profit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). From 2008 to 2010, she was National Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service in Venezuela and on the Colombian-Venezuelan border.
Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli (Colombia), in charge of leading advocacy for the defense of human rights in Colombia at Wola (Washington Office for Latin American Affairs), expert on peace and illegal armed groups, internally displaced persons, human rights and of ethnic minorities.
In addition to the five members of the Mission that will be in São Paulo and Brasília – one to be confirmed –, there is also the participation of a special guest, as a collaborator in the works:
Herta Däubler-Gmelin (Germany) – remote participation, as a special guest and collaborator of the Mission –, former Minister of Justice of Germany (1998-2002, under Chancellor Gerhard Schröder), lawyer and member of the German Parliament (1972-2009). She currently teaches as an honorary professor of political science at the Free University of Berlin, particularly in international relations and human rights.
These people – with the exception of Herta Däubler-Gmelin – worked in Brazil in coordination with local organizations of public defenders and human rights, state and social, to monitor compliance with international standards and provide information to the international community.
The mission was supported by IPPDH Mercosul (Institute of Public Policies on Human Rights of Mercosur), WBO (Washington Brazil Office), Article 19, Vladimir Herzog Institute, WOLA (Washington Office on Latin America), Anadep (National Association of Public Defenders of Brazil), CAF (Common Action Forum), CBDDH (Brazilian Committee of Human Rights Defenders), and Network for the Protection of Journalists.
