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Brazil truth commission to release report on rights abuses Brazil truth commission: Abuse 'rife' under military rule
(about 3 hours later)
A national truth commission in Brazil is releasing a report into human rights abuses nearly 30 years after the end of military rule. Brazil's national truth commission says illegal arrests, torture, executions and forced disappearances were performed systematically by state agents under Brazil's military rule.
Hundreds of people were killed or disappeared between 1964 and 1985. In its final report, the commission also called for the armed forces to recognise their responsibility for the "grave violations" that happened.
Many others were imprisoned and tortured for their political views, including President Dilma Rousseff. More than 400 people were killed or disappeared between 1964 and 1985.
Victims of the abuse and their relatives are demanding the repeal of Brazil's amnesty law, so the perpetrators can be brought to justice. Many others, among them President Dilma Rousseff, were arrested and tortured.
Controversial amnesty lawControversial amnesty law
The seven-member truth commission spent two years investigating human rights abuses from the period from 1946 to 1988, with the main focus on the military era from 1964 to 1985. The seven-member truth commission spent more than two years investigating human rights abuses from the period from 1946 to 1988, with the main focus on the military era from 1964 to 1985.
The report, due to be published later on Wednesday in Brasilia, is expected to confirm that more than 400 people were killed or forcibly disappeared under military rule. It delivered its final report to President Rousseff on Wednesday.
The number is far lower than in shorter periods of military rule in neighbouring Argentina and Chile, but thousands of Brazilians were tortured, exiled or deprived of their political rights. In it, it identifies 377 people as responsible for human rights abuses.
A comprehensive amnesty law in force in Brazil means that unlike in other Latin American nations, the perpetrators of the abuse cannot be brought to justice. It says the ones who are still alive, approximately 100, should be brought to trial.
The commission argues that Brazil's 1979 amnesty law does not apply to these individuals because of the grave nature of the crimes they committed.
The 1979 law states that neither military officials accused of torture nor left-wing guerrillas accused of violence can face prosecution.
'Official policy'
The document lists 434 people killed under military rule. The bodies of 210 of those victims have never been located.
Analysis: Rio de Janeiro correspondent Wyre DaviesAnalysis: Rio de Janeiro correspondent Wyre Davies
Brazil was one of several Latin American nations where the military overthrew democratic governments in the 1960s and 70s.Brazil was one of several Latin American nations where the military overthrew democratic governments in the 1960s and 70s.
With support from a considerable part of Brazil's elite and its then small middle class, the generals said they were countering the very real threat of a communist insurgency.With support from a considerable part of Brazil's elite and its then small middle class, the generals said they were countering the very real threat of a communist insurgency.
Over the next 21 years, hundreds were killed and thousands were tortured.Over the next 21 years, hundreds were killed and thousands were tortured.
Former members of the military reject accusations that torture was commonplace, that it was official government policy.Former members of the military reject accusations that torture was commonplace, that it was official government policy.
Earlier this year a former colonel, Paulo Malhaes, told the commission in some detail how he tortured and killed many victims. Earlier this year a former colonel, Paulo Malhaes, told the commission in some detail how he had tortured and killed many victims.
Under the protection of immunity, Malhaes, who has since died, also gave specific details about training on torture techniques he and others received in the United Kingdom. Under the protection of immunity, Malhaes, who has since died, also gave specific details about training on torture techniques he and others had received in the United Kingdom.
He was one of very few former military men to give such candid evidence as the commission had no powers to subpoena witnesses.He was one of very few former military men to give such candid evidence as the commission had no powers to subpoena witnesses.
Read Wyre's article in full: Moment of Truth for Brazil's military past Moment of Truth for Brazil's military past
The report is expected to recommend a repeal of the 1979 law, under which neither military officials accused of torture nor left-wing guerrillas accused of violence can face prosecution. The commission says the number of victims is probably higher but it could not confirm more cases because it could not access the relevant security forces documents, many of which have reportedly been destroyed.
Supporters of the amnesty argue its repeal would do more harm than good by setting sections of Brazilian society off against each other, but opponents say it is the only way to come to terms with the past. It says that abuse and torture were official policies and widespread on military premises.
It stresses that they were not isolated incidents, as members of the security forces have argued.
The commission concludes that human rights violations such as illegal and arbitrary arrests, executions, torture and forced disappearances continue today because the crimes committed under military rule were not denounced, investigated or punished.