Ei-iE

Education unions mobilise to reinforce Brazilian democracy

published 11 April 2018 updated 24 April 2018

Education International took part in a solidarity rally for Brazil’s former president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on 11 April.

As part of the global solidarity movement championing democracy, Education International (EI) has urged Brazilian President Michel Temer to ensure that the principles of democracy and human rights are respected in the country.

The call by the voice of teachers worldwide, comes in light of judicial and media persecution of former president Lula. In addition, Brazil’s democratic institutions are weakening and human rights activists are increasingly being targeted and violence used against them.

EI’s General Secretary, David Edwards, has reminded President Temer that his (Temer’s) leadership in these critical times will determine “whether the flickering light of Brazilian democracy restores itself as a beacon for the world”.

On 23 April, EI will participate in a global day of action for Brazil.

Resources:

Letter sent to Brazil’s President Michel Temer: “Restoring Brazil as a Beacon of Democracy”

Web item on EI website: “Education International urges Brazil to revert to ‘beacon of democracy’”

Article on EI Latin America’s website (in Spanish): “La Internacional de la Educación exhorta a Temer a respetar derechos”

International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) statement: “Brazil: Decision to Jail Lula is a Travesty of Justice”