Canadian organizations condemn Parliamentary coup in Brazil
We are gravely concerned with the recent events undertaken by sections of Brazil’s rightwing opposition parties that have led to the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff. We strongly condemn the parliamentary coup which has been orchestrated against a democratically elected head of state that just 18 months ago was elected by 54 million votes in free, open democratic elections.
On May 12th, Senators voted to suspend President Rousseff by 55 votes to 22 votes. She is accused of illegally manipulating finances yet no evidence has been presented to back the allegations.
The politicians who will take over the government represent the business elites who want to dismantle core social programs implemented by President Rousseff’s Workers’ Party, and instead impose neoliberal policies. These polices have already been rejected by the majority of Brazilians at the ballot box over the past 13 years. Many of these elites are corrupt themselves and have even been involved in the Lava Jato corruption scandal that saw money laundering and price fixing at Petrobras, the state-owned oil company.
President Rousseff’s replacement Vice President, Michel Temer is himself being investigated for receiving over US$ 1.5 million in funds from a construction company that works with Petrobras. The impeachment process was started by the speaker of Brazil’s lower house of Congress, Eduardo Cunha, who has been indicted over corruption charges related to a kickback scheme at Petrobras.
Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff has condemned the move to impeach her as a “coup” and a “farce” against her government. Many organizations nationally and internationally agree.
The political, social and economic instability of this illegal parliamentary coup will have serious implications for all Brazilians and will destabilize the region. Trade unions and social movements in Brazil have denounced violence and physical aggression against them and government supporters.
We call on the international community to condemn the coup.
We call on the Canadian government to not recognize the government of Michel Temer.
ALBA Moviementos Canada
América Latina al Día
BC Government and Service Employees’ Union
British Columbia Teachers’ Federation
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Canadian Union of Public Employees
Common Frontiers
Comité pour les droits humains en Amérique latine
Circulo Bolivariano Louis Riel
DeColonize Now
Idle No More
Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network
Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation
Socialist Project
Students united in representation of Latin America
United Steelworkers
