The Arns Commission makes denouncements at the UN

During the 44th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council, held in Geneva on June 30, High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet presented the World Report and her oral update on the human rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bachelet highlighted Brazil among her concerns: "In countries such as Belarus, Brazil, Burundi, Nicaragua, Tanzania, and the United States – among others – I am concerned that statements denying the reality of the virus and increased polarization on key issues may intensify the severity of the pandemic, undermining efforts to contain its spread and strengthen health systems."

In the plenary reserved for the participation of social organizations, on July 2, Gustavo Huppes represented Conectas and the Arns Commission, institutions that jointly presented a document denouncing that the actions and omissions of the Brazilian government further aggravate the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

The document makes the following alert:

"In Brazil, the pandemic has exposed the abysmal inequality in the country – severely affecting the most vulnerable in our society. The federal government's fragile response is only making the situation worse. President Bolsonaro called COVID-19 a "little flu" and discouraged the population from following the quarantine measures adopted by local authorities. When Brazil reached five thousand deaths, Bolsonaro's response was ‘so what?’ Now, with 1.35 million cases, almost 58,000 deaths, and more than 40 days without a permanent Health Minister, Brazil is adrift in this health and sanitary crisis.”

Brazil also faces its greatest political crisis since redemocratization. Antidemocratic demonstrations are taking place in the country calling for the closure of Congress and the Supreme Court, as well as a military intervention with Bolsonaro in power – all unconstitutional requests that pose a threat to our democracy. President Bolsonaro himself has participated in some of these demonstrations.

We call on the Brazilian government to respond to the pandemic, guided by the most absolute transparency, supported by the best science, and conditioned by the fundamental principles of human dignity and preservation of life. This includes strengthening the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde – SUS).

We would also like to draw the attention of the High Commissioner and the Human Rights Council to the current political and health crisis underway in the country and closely monitor the human rights situation in Brazil."