Brazil
Brazil performs in the high range in two categories (Representation and Participation) of the Global State of Democracy (GSoD) framework and in the mid-range in Rights and Rule of Law. It is among the top 25 per cent of countries in several factors and all categories of the framework. Compared to 2018, multiple factors of Representation, Rights and Participation have advanced. Brazil boasts one of the world’s largest economies, driven in particular by exports of soybeans, iron ore, and petroleum, as well as raw sugar, beef, poultry, and sulfate chemical wood pulp.
Brazil gained independence from Portugal in 1822. Since then, the military has played a pivotal role in politics, most markedly during the military dictatorship (1964 -1985), known for suppression of political opposition and widespread human rights abuses. Re- democratization followed, though it was defined by hyperinflation, economic instability, social inequality, and food insecurity. While millions were lifted from poverty in the early 2000s through a series of social policies promoted during Lula Da Silva’s first term, inequality rates remain amongst the highest in the region, and poverty and inequality remain key drivers of contemporary politics. Violence is also a serious problem and police brutality is a growing concern.
Brazil is a diverse country, the result of European colonialization, African enslavement and Indigenous communities. Despite the myth of an existing “racial democracy”, inter-community relations have been marked by political and economic inequality. Indigenous groups have been disproportionately impacted by an acceleration of the deforestation in the Amazon and budget cuts to oversight agencies. Recently, Indigenous communities secured important victories for land-rights and opened doors for reparations, but major challenges remain. Religious identity is another cleavage, especially in light of increasingly powerful evangelical groups. Gender Equality is also a challenge, with only 17.5 per cent of women holding seats in the parliament. Violence against women is pervasive and the rates of femicide are high.
In 2013, mass protests revealed long-standing social and economic grievances. Public frustration was compounded by several corruption scandals (beginning in 2014) that allowed far-right groups to turn public discontent into political gains. In 2018, Jair Bolsonaro came to power on a platform of tackling crime, fighting corruption, and boosting economic growth. That administration also, however, was marked by a controversial relaxation of gun ownership laws, weakened gender equality, less funding for social welfare and weaker environmental protections and Indigenous land rights. In 2022, Lula Da Silva, who promised to reverse many of the former administration’s policies, came to power in the country’s closest election to date. The campaign period evidenced an increase and even “calcification” of political polarization, culminating in a violent public storming of the capital on 8 January 2023 by members of the public who distrusted the election results. Inquiries into these events are ongoing.
Looking ahead, it will be important to watch if recent advances in democratic performance are sustained, especially given the growing political polarization. The new government’s handling of persistent challenges in Rights -- with a focus on Political Equality and Basic Welfare – should also be watched. It will also be important to examine how the government addresses high levels of violence and the impact on Personal Integrity and Security.
Last updated: August 2024
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
April 2025
Former President Collor de Mello imprisoned over Lava-Jato case
On 24 April, Supreme Court Justice Alexander de Moraes ordered the immediate imprisonment of former president Fernando Collor de Mello, who will be serving eight years of jail time following his conviction for corruption and money laundering connected to the Lava-Jato corruption scandal. The decision comes after de Moraes ruled to dismiss Collor de Mello's second appeal against his imprisonment following his conviction in May 2023. On 1 May, Collor de Mello was allowed to be transferred to his residency to serve house arrest after receiving authorization from the Supreme Court on humanitarian grounds (based on his advanced age and multiple health conditions). He will be forced to wear an ankle bracelet and will only be able to receive visits from his lawyers. Collor de Mello has pleaded not guilty to the charges of corruption and maintained his innocence throughout the years.
Souce: El Pais, Agência Brasil, Reuters
February 2025
Video-platform Rumble is banned in Brazil
On 21 February, Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the immediate suspension of the video platform Rumble in Brazil, accusing the company of refusing to comply with court orders. The suspension responds to the platform’s lack of compliance with a court order to remove the account of Allan dos Santos, an influential right-wing blogger and fugitive based in Florida, who is under investigation for several crimes in Brazil, including spreading fake news and involvement in a criminal organization. De Moraes had also required Rumble to appoint a legal representative in Brazil within 48 hours, which the company failed to do. Justice de Moraes stated that Rumble has repeatedly neglected this requirement, thereby violating Brazilian law. He ruled that the platform would remain blocked until it complies with judicial orders, appoints a local legal representative, and pays its outstanding fines. In a public statement, Rumble denounced the suspension as censorship and announced its intention to pursue legal action against the court order.
Sources: G1, AP News, Deutsche Welle, Supreme Federal Court of Brazil
November 2024
Former President Bolsonaro and allies formally accused of plotting a coup
On 21 November, Brazil's Federal Police formally accused former President Jair Bolsonaro and over 30 supporters of attempting a coup to prevent President Lula da Silva from taking office after the 2022 elections, among several other crimes. The charges, based on a two-year investigation, allege Bolsonaro, along with ministers, aides, and military personnel, formed a criminal organization to keep him in power after his defeat. The police report, submitted to Brazil’s Supreme Court, now awaits a decision from Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet on whether to proceed with prosecution. Earlier that week, the Federal Police arrested four military personnel and a police officer accused of plotting to assassinate President Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Additionally, a Bolsonaro supporter detonated at least two bombs near the STF on 13 November in what police believe was a politically motivated attack targeting de Moraes. Former President Bolsonaro denies all charges.
Update 1: On 18 February, Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet charged former president Jair Bolsonaro and 33 of his allies with crimes that include attempting a coup, leading a criminal organization aimed at keeping him in power after his electoral defeat, and attempting to violently abolish the democratic rule of law. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes is now expected to hear the defence arguments and then, together with members of the First Chamber of the Supreme Court, decide whether to put the accused on trial. Legal experts claim that Bolsonaro will most likely face a trial, which is expected to be held before the end of this year. Bolsonaro denies all charges and claims the judicial system is being weaponized against him.
Update 2: On 26 March, the first panel of the Supreme Court unanimously voted to accept the charges presented by Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet against former President Jair Bolsonaro and seven of his closest allies, who will now have to stand trial. The trial is expected to be held this year and could potentially lead to Bolsonaro facing decades in prison.
Sources: BBC, The Guardian (1), Associated Press (1), Rio Times, Agência Brasil, BBC, The Guardian (2), Associated Press (2), The Guardian (3), Agência Publica, BBC (3), CNN
Two convicted of the 2018 assassination of councilwoman Marielle Franco
On 31 October, a Rio de Janeiro court sentenced former police officers Ronnie Lessa and Élcio Queiroz to prison for the 2018 assassination of councilwoman Marielle Franco and her driver, Anderson Gomes, and for the attempted murder of Fernanda Chaves, Franco’s advisor, who survived the attack. The men admitted to acting on orders from two high-ranking politicians and a former police chief, and received sentences of 78 and 59 years, respectively. The court found that the attack was planned months ahead and was intended to obstruct Franco’s work on housing rights for marginalized communities. As a prominent voice against police brutality and an influential Black, gay woman born in a favela, Franco’s assassination became one of the city’s most high-profile murders, exposing collusion between organized crime and politics in Brazil. The families celebrated the verdict as a step toward justice and urged accountability for the masterminds behind the crime, whose trial dates remain pending.
Sources: Brazil de Fato, The Guardian, BBC, Pagina 12, OHCHR
October 2024
Government settles with mining company for Mariana tragedy victims
The Brazilian government and the Samarco mining company, responsible for a catastrophic dam breach in Mariana (Minas Gerais), have settled for USD 31 billion in compensation. In 2015, a dam holding a tailings pond filled with iron ore waste, belonging to the Samarco mining company, collapsed, leading to the release of a flood of toxic waste. The disaster, deemed as the result of the company’s negligence, killed 19 people, displaced thousands, led to the destruction of several villages, and polluted the Rio Doce, a river vital for many communities and which remains contaminated. The settlement is intended to be used for environmental recovery and to compensate over 300,000 victims. However, civil society groups argue it falls short of addressing the full extent of the damage. In parallel, a class action lawsuit representing over 600,000 victims of the Mariana tragedy is scheduled to start on 21 October in London against BHP, a mining giant that partially owns Samarco.
Sources: G1, Midia Ninja, AP news, Infobae, The Guardian
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Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2024
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