“Political violence and coups have no place in this election” – MPs speak up for Brazilian democracy

“The election in Brazil is the biggest election in the world this year and it is important that it takes place in free and fair conditions.”

Richard Burgon MP

By Julia Felmanas, PT Londres

On 6th September, Richard Burgon MP raised in Parliament the fears that Bolsonaro and his supporters are threatening democracy and the Brazilian election; and the fact that political violence is already taking place. He was joined by Fabian Hamilton who asked about whether the British Government has been putting pressure on Bolsonaro`s government to ensure elections will be free and fair. He also raised the very situation of deforestation in the Amazon.

You can read their contributions to the debate on Presidential Elections in Brazil below:

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Richard Burgon MP

On the importance of defending democracy, I want to express, as I am sure many others do, my best wishes to the Argentinian Vice-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, on whom there was an horrific assassination attempt last week.

I thank the Minister for her answer. The election in Brazil is the biggest election in the world this year and it is important that it takes place in free and fair conditions. Sadly, in recent months there has been targeted violence from supporters of President Bolsonaro against members of the main opposition party, including fatal shootings. Will the Government make a public statement ahead of next month’s vote that political violence and threats of coups have no place in this election?

Fabian Hamilton MP

Opposition Members join the Government in congratulating the Republic of Brazil on its 200th anniversary.

Reports that the Bolsonaro Government are attempting to reduce the number of official observers for the forthcoming presidential elections are extremely worrying.

Given that the Foreign Secretary, who is shortly to become Prime Minister, has spent so much time cosying up to President Bolsonaro, rather than challenging on the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and the attack on fundamental human rights in Brazil, will the Minister use her diplomatic pressure to help ensure these elections are able to be independently observed, with all sides respecting the outcome and result afterwards?

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• Julia Felmanas is the Coordinator the PT (Brazilian Workers Party) London Nucleus. You can follow PT Londres on Facebook, Instagram and twitter. You can follow Julia on twitter here.
• In response to growing threats against Brazilian democracy from far-right President Bolsonaro and his supporters, an Early Day Motion on the Brazilian elections was put forward in parliament. The Brazil Solidarity Initiative are asking for constituents to contact their MPs to sign – use the lobby tool here.