United, in solidarity, and mobilized

We, signatory entities of the Pact for Life and for Brazil, embraced by women and men of goodwill throughout Brazil, with international repercussion, reiterate our solidarity with the Brazilian nation and particularly with the families of the victims of COVID-19 – the pandemic that has already caused the death of tens of thousands of Brazilians and has well over half a million people infected.

In face of the health crisis that is being minimized by federal authorities, the inexistence of a national health plan, and the tardiness to release emergency resources – which would make aid and care reach the most vulnerable –, we once again return to the Pact to reaffirm that the fight against the pandemic must remain “based on the best science and conditioned by the fundamental principles of human dignity and the protection of life".

The citizens’ desire to relax social distancing measures in order to take to the streets to defend democracy and the Constitution cannot be done now, considering the risks of contamination. It is a legitimate attitude in the face of the authoritarian discourse that is spreading throughout the country, at such a serious moment. However, with clarity, we must not fall into the trap of extremist groups, whose only objective is to provoke confrontations, by generating instability and compromising citizenship.

Therefore, we consider it fundamental: to maintain the social distancing measures recommended by the WHO; to strengthen the union of all Brazilians in the fight against COVID-19 and in the defense of our institutions, from our homes; to demand the strengthening of the Unified Health System (SUS) and the provision of emergency aid to those in need; and to demand rigor and transparency in the disclosure of data about the evolution of the pandemic in Brazil.

Let's stay at home for life and democracy - united, in solidarity, and mobilized.

June 5th, 2020

Dom Walmor Oliveira de Azevedo, president of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (Conferência Nacional dos Bispos do Brasil – CNBB)

Felipe Santa Cruz, president of the Brazilian Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil – OAB)

José Carlos Dias, president of the Dom Paulo Evaristo Arns Commission for the Defense of Human Rights – Arns Commission

Luiz Davidovich, president of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (Academia Brasileira de Ciências – ABC)

Paulo Jeronimo de Sousa, president of the Brazilian Press Association (Associação Brasileira de Imprensa – ABI)

Ildeu de Castro Moreira, president of the Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science (Sociedade Brasileira para o Progresso da Ciência – SBPC)