Brazilian activists laud creation of commission to look into abuses under military regime

[Judi Lynn]

Brazilian activists laud creation of commission to look into abuses under military regime
By Associated Press, Wednesday, March 16, 5:50 PM

RIO DE JANEIRO — Anti-torture activists praised Brazil’s justice minister Wednesday for supporting creation of a commission to investigate human rights abuses during the military dictatorship, although they consider the proposal “timid.”

Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo’s comments Tuesday throwing his support to pending legislation on the truth commission was seen as a message for military leaders who have in the past opposed such an investigation.

The public support is an important step toward getting the measure approved by lawmakers, said Cecilia Coimbra, president of the anti-torture group Tortura Nunca Mais.

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A number of leading figures in Brazilian politics were imprisoned, tortured or exiled. Former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was briefly imprisoned for standing up to the government as a union leader, while current President Dilma Rousseff, then a guerrilla fighting to overturn the military, was tortured while in prison. Former president Fernando Henrique Cardoso went into exile, as did singer Gilberto Gil, who later became culture minister.

More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/brazilian_activists_laud_creation_of_commission_to_look_into_abuses_under_military_regime/2011/03/16/ABPoVcg_story.html?wprss=rss_world