Brazil Has Become a ‘Dictatorship,’ Warn Brazilian Lawmakers

‘Documented or credibly reported rights violations in Brazil include the political abuse of legal procedures to persecute political opposition,’ says Mr. Smith.

Member of the Brazil Chamber of Deputies Marcel Van Hatten speaks at a news conference on "Brazil: Democracy, Freedom, and Rule of Law Under Attack?" outside of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 12, 2024. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva and his allies in the judicial branch have turned Brazil into a “dictatorship” that is persecuting dissidents, political leaders, and journalists while violating basic human rights, a coalition of Brazilian lawmakers and journalists said in Washington on March 12.

U.S. lawmakers also expressed grave concerns about the developments, with Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) vowing to introduce legislation to address the issues raised by the Brazilian delegation.