Experts from the United Nations Organization (UN) issued a joint statement on Thursday to ask the authorities, candidates and political parties in Brazil that the next general elections be peaceful and without violence.
The UN stressed that threats, intimidation and political violence, including death threats against candidates, continue to increase online Y disconnectedespecially against women, indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants and LGBTI people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) in Brazil, generating terror among the population and preventing potential candidates from running for public office.
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Describing this panorama, the experts from the multilateral organization expressed their concern about the current smear campaign and the continuous attacks against democratic institutions, the judiciary and the electoral system in Brazil, including the electronic electoral system.
We ask the authorities to protect and duly respect the work of the electoral institutions. We further express our concern about the impact that such attacks may have on the upcoming presidential elections and emphasize the importance of protecting and guaranteeing judicial independence,” the experts said.
“We are concerned that this hostile environment represents a threat to political participation and democracy and we urge the State to protect candidates from any threat, act of intimidation or attack. online Y disconnected“, they added.
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For the UN experts, those involved in the Brazilian electoral process must commit to peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections, since hate speech, gender misinformation and incitement by candidates and their sympathizers during the election campaign period can trigger violence.
The State must ensure that all electoral processes are non-discriminatory, free of disinformation, hate speech and incitement to violence. All fundamental freedoms must be respected, including the rights to freedom of assembly and association, as well as freedom of expression.
The UN experts also called on the authorities to ensure that civil society, human rights defenders, election observers and journalists can carry out their legitimate work without intimidation, physical attacks or reprisals.
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We are deeply concerned about reports of harassment and attacks against journalists, particularly women. Journalists play a crucial role during the elections, contributing to a free and inclusive electoral process and the credibility of the results,” the experts said.
The previous elections in Brazil were marked by concern and the UN experts concluded in a joint statement that “the The State must investigate his execution in an effective, prompt, exhaustive and impartial manner and act against those responsible in accordance with domestic and international law.“.
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Source: Observadora
