Brazil's government apologizes to families of dictatorship victims
- Brazil's government acknowledged its failures in identifying remains from a mass grave linked to the military dictatorship's victims.
- Families have been waiting for confirmation about their missing loved ones for decades, with some identifying remains only recently.
- The apology, while significant, highlights the ongoing struggle for justice and the need for further efforts to support affected families.
In Brazil, the government issued an apology on Right to Truth Day to families of victims from the military dictatorship, acknowledging that their loved ones’ remains could be among those found in a mass grave dating back to 35 years. The remains were discovered in 1990 in a São Paulo cemetery known as Perus, where over 1,000 bags were unearthed. Although some families have found closure through identification, many are still uncertain about the fate of their loved ones. Human Rights Minister Macaé Evaristo highlighted the state’s neglect during the identification process, admitting that the annual investment of approximately 200,000 Brazilian reais ($35,000) was insufficient to provide families with the peace they deserved. Evaristo also reflected on the dismantling of her ministry during Jair Bolsonaro's presidency, emphasizing the necessity for Brazilian society to seek truth regarding the victims of the dictatorship. During the ceremony, Gilberto Molina, who represented affected families, expressed the long emotional journey faced by many. His own brother's remains were identified only in 2005. The painful acknowledgment of unresolved cases evokes a deep sense of mourning that spans decades for countless families. Brazil’s Truth Commission reported that at least 434 individuals were killed and over 100 went missing during the military rule, which lasted until 1985. The event served as a reminder of both the progress and ongoing struggles for justice and recognition in Brazil, with many still fighting for the truth regarding their loved ones.