UN warns of risk of violence around presidential election

International
  • 9-04-2022, 08:58
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    INA-follow-up
     
    UN warns of risk of violence around presidential election
    The UN is concerned about the risk of escalation in Brazil six months before the presidential election, which promises “political violence” and much polarization.
     
    “Political violence is destroying Brazilian democracy,” a UN special rapporteur said on Friday, voicing his concern six months ahead of the “very polarizing” presidential election.
     
     
    “My biggest concern is the violence in the election process and some question the legitimacy of the results,” Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, the UN’s special rapporteur on the right to peaceful assembly, said at a press conference. The Togolese lawyer, who has just completed a 12-day official visit to Brazil, announced that he will submit a preliminary report on Monday.
     
    A giant duel is looming between far-right president Jair Bolsonaro and left-wing ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for the October presidential election. Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly criticized the electronic ballot system, calling it “fraudulent” without providing evidence, raising fears that he would not recognize the outcome of the presidential election in case of defeat.